Every team in the NFL has its own big board for the NFL draft each year. We never get to see a team’s rankings unless it somehow leaks on the internet, but everyone views prospects differently.
A player ranked in the top 10 by one team might not even crack the top 25 for another.
Arif Hasan of Wide Left puts together a consensus big board each year, using prospect rankings from more than 100 different outlets and experts. It still doesn’t tell us how teams viewed a specific prospect, but it gives us an idea of what experts thought of that player.
With that in mind, it can be a fun exercise to compare where the Rams drafted a player to where he ranked on the consensus big board. Did they get a good value with Ty Simpson? What about Keagen Trost?
In this year’s draft, the Rams only picked one player lower than where he was ranked on the big board: Tim Keenan III. And it appears Keagen Trost was a major reach based on the consensus rankings.
QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Draft pick: 13Big board rank: 38
This was viewed as a reach based on the big board, as well as in the eyes of most experts and analysts. The majority of draft experts pegged Simpson as a late-first-round prospect or potentially even a second-rounder, but the Rams took him in the top half of Round 1.
If he pans out as a starting quarterback for the Rams, no one will care or remember where he was drafted. And if he turns into a high-end starter, 13 will feel like a steal. But those are some big “ifs” for a guy with only 15 career starts.
TE Max Klare, Ohio State
Draft pick: 61Big board rank: 71
Klare was mostly viewed as the No. 3 tight end in the class and he wound up being the fifth (of 22!) off the board. The consensus big board had him ranked 71st overall, so No. 61 isn’t a terrible value based on that.
Tight end wasn’t a huge need for the Rams coming into the draft but with two key players in contract years, it’s understandable why they felt compelled to take one at this spot. And Klare is a good receiver who brings great athleticism, too.
OT Keagen Trost, Missouri
Draft pick: 93Big board rank: 164
This was a major reach according to the consensus among experts’ rankings. Trost, a versatile offensive lineman who can play guard or tackle in the Rams’ scheme, but there were linemen ranked ahead of him.
For now, he’ll be viewed as a backup for Los Angeles, with a slight possibility to start at right tackle if he outperforms Warren McClendon Jr. in camp. He could wind up being a starter in 2027 if Kevin Dotson or Steve Avila leaves in free agency.
WR CJ Daniels, Miami
Draft pick: 197Big board rank: 202
This pick was right on the money based on expert rankings. Daniels was ranked 202nd on the consensus big board and the Rams traded up to No. 197 for him. It’s possible he wouldn’t have made it to No. 207, where they traded up from, so they packaged two seventh-round picks to go up 10 spots.
Daniels will compete with Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield for the WR3 role before trying to potentially replace Davante Adams as the No. 2 receiver in 2027, if the veteran wideout leaves in free agency or retires.
DT Tim Keenan III, Alabama
Draft pick: 232Big board rank: 165
The big board classifies this as a tremendous value for the Rams, which could be why they opted to take a nose tackle despite already having Poona Ford. Keenan is a massive defender at 327 pounds and brings some much-needed size to the depth chart.
Ford was the only true nose tackle on the roster but now the Rams can substitute Keenan into the lineup on early downs if Ford is gassed.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL Draft rankings: Where Rams picks ranked on consensus board