Future first round pick gives Rams more flexibility than just at quarterback

The Rams traded down in 2025 to set up a flexible future at QB.

Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, it was thought that the Los Angeles Rams could potentially be a sleeper team for a quarterback. With narratives swirling that they could be interested in quarterbacks Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe, it was an option that seemed to be on the table at 26. However, taking a quarterback in this particular draft class from where the Rams were slotted never made sense.

This was a weaker draft at quarterback, but even players who were considered to have upside like Dart and Milroe both had significant issues. The issues with their timing, accuracy, processing post-snap, and ability to play on time were major red flags for a Sean McVay offense.

While the Rams would have had the benefit of the fifth-year option, what’s the benefit of the fifth-year option with an Andy Dalton level player? Outside of Cam Ward, this was hardly a quarterback class worth investing in.

Last year, Rams general manager Les Snead got a lot of criticism for how much he gave up to get Braden Fiske. The Rams getting a 2026 first round pick in this trade cannot be overstated enough. In a quarterback class that is expected to be very good, having an extra first round pick is massive.

In this particular draft class, it was always thought that pick 15 wasn’t that much different from a value perspective than pick 50. As head coach Sean McVay noted on Thursday night,

“I think the biggest thing too is there is a lot of appreciation for…let’s just say your top 100 players and there is maybe not as big of a discrepancy between those guys that are in that top fifteen to those guys that are maybe in our 85 to 100.”

The Rams moved back from 26 to 46, remaining in a good value position in this draft class. At the same time, they received a 2026 first round pick which allows them to be competitive. It also gives them ammo to move up next year if needed for a quarterback.

However, this move is more than just about the potential of adding the future QB1 in next year’s class. The 2026 first round pick with the Falcons gives the Rams so much flexibility at quarterback and how they utilize that pick. There are three very different, but very possible options.

1. The pick becomes ammo to move up for QB1 post-Stafford.
2. Les Snead can use the pick at the deadline to trade for a star.
3. Rams can hold on to it and add two first-round caliber players in 2026.

What makes it even more intriguing is where that pick potentially ends up. In four of the past five drafts, the Falcons have selected inside the top-10. While they may be expected to be better in 2025, ESPN’s Mike Clay projected the Falcons to have 6.7 wins following free agency. That ranked 27th in the NFL which equates to the sixth overall pick.

The most anticipated option for the 2026 first would be using that pick to get a quarterback. While Arch Manning will be the name floated around the most, players like LaNorris Sellers, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier will also be options.

With Les Snead’s connection to Texas, Manning is someone that will be brought up consistently. It is worth noting that he does only have two starts and all eyes will be on him this year to see how he produces. In the event that the Falcons pick does end up in the top-10, the Rams should have the ammo to move inside the top-5 if needed and guarantee themselves one of the quarterbacks. Sellers is similar to Jalen Milroe, but has much better processing. Allar needs to get more consistent, but has the arm. Meanwhile Nussmeier also has natural arm talent.

Trading back 20 spots and picking up a 2026 first round pick also does not imply that the Rams are punting on the 2025 season. Something that tends to get lost is that the impact of a draft doesn’t necessarily happen for 2-3 years. It’s why draft classes shouldn’t be graded immediately. Expecting a rookie drafted 26th overall to be the difference to get over the hump creates huge, unrealistic expectations. The Rams trading back and picking up an extra first round pick has no impact on 2025.

That’s not to say a rookie can’t have an impact, but expecting them to be the immediate missing piece is unrealistic. The Rams brought back or replaced every starter that they lost in free agency. Ahkello Witherspoon was brought back. Davante Adams and Poona Ford replaced Cooper Kupp and Bobby Brown III. Nate Landman replaced Christian Rozeboom. This roster was set up in a way so that they didn’t have any immediate needs.

If the Rams sit at 6-2 at the trade deadline and the need for a top-level cornerback is glaring, it’s possible to also use that or their own first round pick for a potential star player that would help them get over the hump.

Lastly, it’s hard to know where the Rams will be in one-year’s time or what the incoming quarterback class ends up looking like. The alternative to trading one of the first round picks is simply to hang on to them. If the Falcons end up with a top-10 pick, that could put the Rams in position to draft a quarterback. They would then have the ability to use their second pick in the first round to add another premier talent.

The benefit of the extra first round pick is that it gives the Rams options and they now have flexibility. They won’t be forced into taking a quarterback in what is a bad quarterback class. By adding a 2026 first round pick, Snead gave the Rams options for the future and the now. It immediately became the team’s most important asset in the direction that they choose to take.