Rams Hire Veteran Scout to Prepare for 2026 Draft

Phil Savage's scouting expertise aims to help the Rams find talent for the future.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Los Angeles Rams have hired Phil Savage, a former Senior Bowl director with over 30 years of scouting experience, as a personnel department consultant. Savage will work closely with Rams assistant GM John McKay to help the team prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, drawing on his past success in identifying top talent like Hall of Famers Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis during his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

Why it matters

The Rams are looking to reload their roster after the retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Savage's extensive scouting background and eye for talent could prove invaluable as the team aims to find the next generation of impact players through the draft.

The details

Savage, 60, started his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 1991 and later served as the director of college scouting for the Ravens, helping build their Super Bowl-winning roster. He also had a stint as the general manager of the Browns before transitioning to the Senior Bowl director role from 2012-2018. In that position, Savage had the opportunity to closely evaluate top college prospects, including praising a young Aaron Donald during a visit to the then-St. Louis Rams' practice in 2014.

  • Savage visited the Rams' first padded practice on Tuesday, March 28, 2026.
  • Savage offered his thoughts on standout Rams players via Twitter on Wednesday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Phil Savage

A veteran NFL scout with over 30 years of experience, including roles with the Browns, Ravens, and as the Senior Bowl director, who the Rams have hired as a personnel department consultant.

John McKay

The Rams' assistant general manager, who will work closely with Savage to help prepare the team for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Aaron Donald

The Rams' star defensive tackle who recently retired, leaving a void that the team hopes Savage's scouting expertise can help fill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“12 years later, Savage will work for Snead and help him find more pieces to replace the value lost by Donald's retirement.”

— Kenneth Arthur, Author

What’s next

The Rams will look to utilize Savage's scouting insights as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping to find impact players who can help the team reload its roster after the retirement of Aaron Donald.

The takeaway

The Rams' decision to bring in a veteran scout like Phil Savage highlights the team's commitment to building a sustainable roster through the draft. Savage's proven track record of identifying top talent could give the Rams a competitive edge as they look to reload for the future.