6 Rams made Sports Illustrated's all-time NFL mock draft

USA Today

16-04-2025

6 Rams made Sports Illustrated's all-time NFL mock draft
The Los Angeles Rams have had a lot of success throughout the NFL draft throughout the club's illustrious history. They have drafted 22 players who eventually made the Hall of Fame, a number that will surely rise by at least one once defensive tackle Aaron Donald is eligible for Canton.
In Sport Illustrated's ultimate NFL mock draft, Matt Verderame went through and drafted the best player at ever pick Nos. 1 to 224. Of those selections, six were taken by the Rams since the 1970 merger.
Here are all six Rams players to make the all-time mock draft:
Round 1, pick No. 13: DT Aaron Donald (2014)
This one is the biggest no-brainer. Donald recorded 111 sacks and made the Pro Bowl in each of his 10 NFL seasons. He also won Defensive Player of the Year three times and made eight Pro Bowls. While there have been other incredible players drafted at No. 13 (Franco Harris, Kellen Winslow and Tony Gonzalez), Donald is on another level.
Round 1, pick No. 20: DE Jack Youngblood (1971)
Youngblood had a long and successful 14-year career with the Rams that ended in the Hall of Fame. He made seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pros and finished with 151.5 career sacks. There hasn't been another like Youngblood in a long time.
Round 5, pick No. 113: OLB Kevin Greene (1985)
Another Hall-of-Famer, Greene spent the first eight of his 15 years with the Rams. His 72.5 sacks with the Rams ranks eighth in franchise history, but his 160 career sacks unofficially rank third in NFL history.
Round 5, pick No. 177: WR Puka Nacua (2023)
Nacua is only entering his third season but is already one of the best late-round picks of all time. He broke the NFL rookie record for receiving yards (which was broken a year later) and has 184 receptions for 2,476 yards and nine touchdowns in just 28 career games.
Round 7, pick No. 176: QB Pat Haden (1975)
Haden started 55 of 65 games under center for the Rams as a seventh-round pick and finished with a solid 35-19-1 record and made one Pro Bowl. While Haden wasn't a world-beater, he stepped in well when called upon for James Harris, Ron Jaworski and Joe Namath in his first two seasons before eventually taking over as the starter.
Round 8, pick No. 204: C Rich Saul (1970)
Saul was an ironman for the Rams in the 1970s and early 1980s. He started 105 games at center from 1975 to 1981 after beginning his career as the team's long-snapper. Saul made the Pro Bowl in six consecutive seasons from 1976 to 1981 as well.