The NFL draft is an unpredictable beast. Teams enter each round with an idea of what they want but could end up with a completely different player if the board doesn't fall there way.
Recently, trench players have been in fashion. The Philadelphia Eagles beefed up both offensive and defensive lines and rode that success to the Super Bowl. Other teams attempted to replicate this idea by spending lots of money in free agency.
So, in the spirit of that mentality, FOX Sports NFL reporter Carmen Vitali didn’t write a traditional first-round mock draft. In this draft, an offensive or defensive lineman was taken with every first-round pick.
This exercise meant the prospect pool was significantly shallower by the time it got to the Rams’ No. 26 pick.
Los Angeles ended up with Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery with their first-round pick. Vitali picked Ersery because, despite a relatively stable line, the Rams still need depth.
“For the most part, it looks like the offensive line is staying the same for Los Angeles this season,” Vitali wrote, “but it couldn't hurt to have a swing tackle waiting in the wings as he develops — and Ersery will need time to develop.”
The 6-foot-6, 331-pound Ersery mostly played left tackle during his three years as a starter for the Golden Gophers, but has had a few snaps at guard and right tackle. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to former Patriots tackle Marcus Cannon and Pro Football Focus compared him to ex-Minnesota Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt.
LT Aireontae Ersery vs Abdul Carter, including an (attempted) Ersery target pic.twitter.com/4jBUTV775k
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 29, 2025
Ersery is likely a Day 2 player, which means he could end up being a first rounder if he rises up draft boards. Otherwise, the Rams will likely miss out on him unless he falls to No. 90 in the third.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Who would the Rams take if only lineman could be drafted?
