Looking back at 11 of the best first-round picks in Rams history

USA Today

10-04-2025

Looking back at 11 of the best first-round picks in Rams history Headlined by Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley, the Rams have found success in the first round.
The Los Angeles Rams find themselves with the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The team has built a thriving core, especially in the last couple of years, not only in the first round but all across the draft.
The Rams have a rich history with great draft picks, most notably in the first round – even despite their drought from 2017-2023 without a first-rounder. The team has always seemed to meet their needs and find guys who can contribute immediately.
With April 24 quickly approaching, we're taking a look back at the best first-round picks in the team's history and seeing if any of these previous picks can give us some insight into who the Rams will take in the first round.
2014: DT Aaron Donald, No. 13 overall
Donald is arguably the greatest defensive player in the league's history. He was drafted in 2014 with the 13th overall selection, which turned out to be a steal for the Rams – especially after missing on Greg Robinson 11 picks earlier. Many critics argued that Donald did not have a long enough reach or a big enough frame to contribute in a major way at the next level, and boy, that could not have been more wrong.
1983: RB Eric Dickerson, No. 2 overall
Two of their better picks both happen to be running backs, with Eric Dickerson being selected second overall in 1983 and Todd Gurley going 10th in 2015, falling right in the Rams' lap due to ACL injury concerns out of college. Dickerson went on to be one of the more iconic Rams ever, becoming a Hall of Famer and breaking the rushing record just his second year in the league. He was a major piece to the Rams' success in the '80s.
2015: RB Todd Gurley, No. 10 overall
Gurley, who had his career cut short due to a nagging knee injury, made an impact as one of the most dynamic players in the league. Scoring a combined 54 touchdowns in years 2017-19, the Baltimore native tallied over 2000 all-purpose yards in 2017, bringing home Offensive Player of the Year honors.
2004: RB Steven Jackson, No. 24 overall
The Rams drafted Jackson prior to Marshall Faulk's final year and found someone who could make an immediate impact while securing the running back position for the future. Jackson, who played his college ball with Oregon State, was one of the few bright spots for the Franchise during his tenure, making three Pro Bowls and rushing for over 1,000 yards in eight different seasons.
1999: WR Torry Holt, No. 6 overall
Torry Holt, who was selected 6th overall in 1999, became a cornerstone for the "Greatest Show on Turf' and is one of the best Receivers in Rams history. Playing his college ball at NC State, he made an immediate impact on a team that won the Super Bowl his rookie year. Totaling 10 years in the league, all seven of Holt's Pro Bowl appearances came in St. Louis, and he managed to rack up eight 1000-yard seasons during his time with the organization. It is a shame that a receiver with a body of work like his has not received a nod to Canton yet, with hopes that the invitation is soon to come.
1997: OT Orlando Pace, No. 1 overall
Pace played 12 years for St. Louis and cemented himself as one of the best Tackles of his generation. Making seven straight Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2005, he played a major role during the 1999-2000 season in winning a Super Bowl. He protected Kurt Warner's blindside and truly lived up to the hype of a No. 1 pick.
1993: RB Jerome Bettis, No. 10 overall
Despite only playing three years in the royal and yellow, Bettis had an impressive tenure with the Rams, rushing for 1429 yards in his rookie year and punching in 7 touchdowns. He made a Pro Bowl that exact year, and although it was a weaker year following, he managed to get the nod for yet another Pro Bowl. The Bus went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1971: DL Jack Youngblood, No. 20 overall
Jumping to the defensive side of the ball once again, another pick that jumps off the screen is Jack Youngblood, who the Rams took at 20th in 1971. Youngblood went on to become a Rams legend, making seven Pro Bowls and receiving All-Pro honors five times. Winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, the 14-year Ram finished with 151.5 career sacks.
1966: G Tom Mack, No. 2 overall
Mack is player who should be talked about more often as one of the best players at his position. He played 13 years, all with the Rams, and made Pro Bowls in 11 of those years. He also started every game in 10 seasons, showing his longevity and leaving a legacy as one of the best in the game.
1962: DL Merlin Olsen, No. 3 overall
Olsen, one of the leaders of the Fearsome Foursome featuring other stars like Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy, and Rosey Grier, played in all 208 games of his career. He was a dominant force at the defensive tackle position and made fourteen Pro Bowls while receiving five All-Pro honors. Olsen was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
1945: WR Elroy Hirsch, No. 5 overall
Hirsch, nicknamed Crazy Legs, played 12 years with the Rams, both in Cleveland and Los Angeles. His best year came in 1951, where he recorded 66 catches, 1,495 yards, and 17 touchdowns. These are truly unheard-of numbers in this era, especially when there were only 12 games in a season at the time. Hirsch made three Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.
With the draft upcoming, the Rams are hoping to strike gold at pick 26. Will they strike gold once again like they have in years past? We will see in just a couple of weeks.