One of the most important events in the pre-draft process each year is the Senior Bowl, a week-long showcase featuring many of the top prospects in the class. This year, there were several standouts in Mobile, both on the offensive side of the ball and on defense.
The Rams, led by Sean McVay and Les Snead, often find playmakers at the Senior Bowl, which is why this is such a critical week for the team’s talent evaluators.
These 15 prospects could all be targets for Los Angeles in the draft this year, from quarterback Jaxson Dart to cornerback Azareye’h Thomas.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
Like many of the other quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, Dart had some trouble with under-center snaps but he has a ton of talent and potential as a passer. He showed that in some of the drills in Mobile, which is causing his stock to rise ahead of the draft. He could be a target for the Rams whether Matthew Stafford returns to the team in 2025 or not.
Miami WR Xavier Restrepo
Restrepo is undersized at 5-foot-9 but he’s 45 pounds heavier than Tutu Atwell, so they’re built very differently. He has outstanding quickness and a great feel for running routes, which allows him to easily create separation from defenders and get open for his quarterback. He could be just the type of player the Rams need to complement Puka Nacua.
Oregon WR Tez Johnson
Johnson will scare off Rams fans because his smaller stature is almost identical to Tutu Atwell’s, but no cornerback has been able to cover him at the Senior Bowl. He separates from defenders so easily thanks to his speed and quickness, and his route running has been on full display in Mobile. If the Rams want another undersized receiver with great agility, Johnson could be their guy.
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
If Higgins wasn’t already on the Rams’ radar, he should be now. The 6-foot-4 receiver has had a tremendous week at the Senior Bowl, moving incredibly well for a player his size. He’s been running crisp routes and has the agility of a smaller slot receiver, making him an exciting prospect on the outside. After a fantastic showing against some of the draft’s top prospects, Higgins should be rising up draft boards.
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel
Noel is a smaller receiver with elite quickness, which allows him to separate from cornerbacks – especially when they try to press him at the line. He showed the ability to win down the field, on in-breaking routes and out routes in Mobile, running a complete route tree.
TCU WR Jack Bech
Bech was one of the real bright spots of Senior Bowl week, drastically improving his draft stock with a strong three days of practice. He’s 6-foot-1 and well-built, the exact type of receiver the Rams have gravitated toward during Sean McVay’s tenure.
Miami TE Elijah Arroyo
Arroyo has been as impressive as anyone at the Senior Bowl, making a strong case to be one of the first tight ends drafted. With his 6-foot-4 frame and route-running skills, he’s going to be an intriguing prospect for any team in need of a pass-catching tight end – including the Rams.
LSU TE Mason Taylor
Taylor was the most productive tight end in LSU history and he flashed at the Senior Bowl with good hands and solid route running. He even held his own in blocking drills, which is an area of his game that he worked hard to improve, according to his Hall of Fame dad, Jason Taylor.
Florida DT Cam Jackson
Jackson is a massive human being who has some real potential as a nose tackle in a scheme like the Rams’. Los Angeles could lose Bobby Brown III in free agency and as promising as the defensive line is, it could use more size in the middle.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker
Walker is going to be one of the biggest prospects in the draft, coming in at 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds. That’s not typically the type of defensive lineman the Rams target but with Brown hitting free agency, he could be a perfect replacement at nose tackle. His size and length would complement Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske nicely on the interior of the defensive line.
Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa
Bassa is a safety-turned-linebacker, which is evident in his coverage and movement skills. He’s the type of linebacker the Rams could use in the middle of their defense, adding someone who can drop back and cover, and match up with running backs out of the backfield. He’s not a perfect prospect but he’s someone who could fit well in Chris Shula’s defense.
Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser
Kiser picked off a few passes in practice this week, showing good awareness dropping into coverage. The Rams need help at linebacker and Kiser could be a target for them on Day 3. He’s a smart, instinctual linebacker who fits the mold of what the Rams look for at the position.
Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston
Hairston is a fiery competitor, battling on each and every rep. He’s a good press corner and even when he wasn’t bumping receivers at the line, he looked comfortable in off coverage during the week of practice in Mobile. This rep against Bech shows how physical and tough he is in coverage, undercutting the route for a pass deflection. With the Rams’ need at cornerback, Hairston could be a perfect target for Los Angeles.
Ole Miss CB Trey Amos
Amos has good size and length for the cornerback position, which is blended with the requisite speed to play on the outside. He has a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl and looks the part of an NFL cornerback.
Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas
Thomas has to be one of the most exciting cornerback prospects in the class. He’s got great size at 6-foot-1 and though he didn’t have a ton of ball production in college (two interceptions), he also wasn’t targeted much. He held up well in coverage at the Senior Bowl and could be an early-round target for the Rams.
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