The Los Angeles Rams will have the 13th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. As for the Cincinnati Bengals, they will have the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Los Angeles is a team that is in win-now mode. As for Cincinnati, they need help on defense.
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Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Rams are trying to do everything they can to help out quarterback Matthew Stafford. As for the Bengals, they need to do the same for quarterback Joe Burrow. Is there a chance that these two teams could potentially make a draft day trade with each other?
NFL Analyst Thinks That the Los Angeles Rams Will Trade Up With the Cincinnati Bengals To Draft WR Makai Lemon
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Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) hurdles UCLA Bruins punter Will Karoll (49) as linebacker Scott Taylor (20) watches in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com created a trade for each potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He thinks that it is possible that the Bengals trade back from the 10th pick to the 13th pick with the Rams. Barnell thinks that the Bengals would get an additional third round pick in the trade and the Rams would get an additional sixth round pick in the trade.
Barnwell believes that Los Angeles would be trading up to draft wide receiver Makai Lemon from the USC Trojans. He said,
“With the rumor mill suggesting the Rams were at least interested in acquiringA.J. Brownandconsidered tradingDavante Adamsthis offseason, there’s a chance their focus will be on adding that final playmaker for reigning MVPMatthew Stafford. Tate should be off the board by the 10th selection, but if the Rams want to add USC wideoutMakai Lemon, they might need to get aggressive. The Dolphins are bereft at wide receiver and need playmakers forMalik Willis. Lemon would be a logical pick for them at No. 11.
Lemon isn’t a direct replacement for Adams in the long term, but Lemon’s willingness to work over the middle of the field and block would appeal to McVay. It’ll also get Lemon on the field immediately in what could be Stafford’s final season.”
It would be a good move to draft a wide receiver in the first-round for the Rams. Davante Adams is entering the final year of his contract just like Stafford. Puka Nacua has also had some off the field issues for Los Angeles as of late.
Drafting Lemon would be smart business. He is 5’11” and weighs 195 lbs. During the 2025 college football season with USC, he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with averaging 14.6 yards per reception. If everyone is available for the Rams, Lemon would be the third option and then get a bigger role as the year would progress.
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