Is Les Snead eyeing his next big draft trade?
Even if the Los Angeles Rams have a successful season in 2025 season, it is highly likely that they will have interest in drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. Arch Manning figures to be the consensus #1 overall quarterback on draft boards considering his NFL bloodlines, his athleticism, and his development under Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
Matthew Stafford will be another year older and at some point, the Rams will have to have “life-after-Matthew Stafford”. It is quite feasible that the Rams could be planning to make a historical & blockbuster deal that finally nets them a franchise rookie quarterback. Les Snead has indicated as much; stating how a rookie quarterback on a rookie deal is a game changer. But he doubled down and stated that a mobile quarterback is a “cheat code”. Arch Manning possesses the arm talent and mobility that fits the bill of a Sean McVay offense.
It is one thing to want a mobile quarterback…but it is another to acquire one. Those types of quarterbacks rarely find themselves on the free agent market. The best quarterbacks to reach free agency in the last year five years were:
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jameis Winston (thrice), Cam Newton, Andy Dalton (twice), Tyrod Taylor (twice), Mitchell Trubisky (thrice), Jacoby Brissett (twice), Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo (thrice), Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold (twice), Gardner Minshew, and I could go on…
The Rams only option to find what they desire is to a) trade for one (but good luck convincing another team) or b) utilize the draft. Heading into 2025, I believe there are 11 teams “set” at the quarterback position. They are Lamar Jackson (BAL), Joe Burrow (CIN), Josh Allen (BUF), CJ Stroud (HOU), Patrick Mahomes (KC), Bo Nix (DEN), Justin Herbert (LAC), Jalen Hurts (PHI), Jayden Daniels (WAS), Jordan Love (GB), and Michael Penix Jr (ATL). Of the remaining 21, an argument could be made that three teams are likely to proceed with their current option beyond 2025: Brock Purdy (SF), Caleb Williams (CHI), and Drake Maye (NE). That leaves the Rams as one of 18 teams that would want a chance at Arch Manning in April 2026.
Unlike the rest, Los Angeles has already built their roster with a young core featuring Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington, Steve Avila, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Byron Young, Jared Verse, and Kam Kinchens. If LA hits on another draft in 2025, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that they can swing big and trade future draft capital for a rookie, franchise quarterback. Enter: Arch Manning.
What would it cost…?
It is hard to measure what the trade compensation would need to be in order to draft Arch but let’s safely assume that is a lock for the Top 5. The Rams are poised to be a playoff contender and even Super Bowl contender in 2025. In all likelihood, they will be drafting anywhere from Picks 20-32. To move from the back of round 1 to the top 5 will require a substantial haul. If you remember in 2012, Washington gave the Rams a king’s ransom of draft picks to select Robert Griffin III at #2 overall. The Rams (then St. Louis) acquired the 6th overall pick, a 2012 2nd rounder, a 2013 1st rounder, and a 2014 1st rounder. The move was considered a little reckless by Washington, but difference-making quarterbacks are not widely available. Furthermore, the Rams failed to capitalize on the draft haul.
The other draft blockbuster trade was in 2016, when Los Angeles moved up to select Jared Goff with the 1st overall pick. With the trade back, Tennessee received the 15th overall selection, two 2016 2nd round picks, a 2016 3rd round pick, a 2017 first round pick, and a 2017 third round pick.
Needless to say the price will be substantial, especially if Arch Manning cements himself as the class’s best quarterback prospect.
Compensation prediction from Rams:
- 2026 1st round selection (#20 – #32)
- 2026 2nd round selection
- 2027 1st round selection
- 2027 2nd round selection
- 2028 1st round selection
- 2028 4th round selection
If there is any General Manager willing to swing big, it would be Les Snead. As mentioned, he facilitated the above two trades and also the Atlanta Falcons trade with the Cleveland Browns in order to select Julio Jones in 2011.
