Following the NFL trade deadline, the Los Angeles Rams became one of four teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Last April, the Rams traded back in the first round with the Atlanta Falcons and acquired a 2026 first round selection. Since then, the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys have joined the Rams and Browns as the other two teams with two first-round picks.
When the Rams initially acquired the first-round pick from the Falcons, it was thought that they did so to take a quarterback that could sit behind Matthew Stafford for a season or two. However, with how the college football season has gone, that’s no longer a guarantee. Additionally, two other teams that will be in contention for a quarterback will also have two first-round picks.
As it stands, the Rams currently hold the 11th overall pick via the Falcons in addition to their projected 27th overall pick. In most drafts, that could still swing a solid rookie quarterback. Within the past 10 years, Bo Nix, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, and Patrick Mahomes have all gone outside the top five which is where the Rams would be looking.
With that said, the 2026 quarterback class has gone from a group that looked like there might be four or five first-round players to maybe three or four, depending on who declares. Two of the teams that the Rams may have tried to trade up in front of, now have the ammo to match them.
If the draft were to happen this week, the New Orleans Saints would hold the number one overall pick. Despite taking Tyler Shough in the second round last year, a quarterback would be in their best interest. The New York Jets sit at three and could swap with the Tennessee Titans at second overall if needed. After trading Sauce Gardner, the Jets also hold the projected 32nd overall pick.
A wild card is the Miami Dolphins at four. While they may want to replace Tua Tagovailoa, they are also in rebuild. That might be a team willing to trade back and acquire more picks. However, the Cleveland Browns sit at sixth overall with multiple first-round picks to trade up two spots if needed. They hold picks six and 19. That’s potentially three quarterbacks taken inside the top-10.
Hypothetically speaking, let’s say that the Saints, Jets, and Browns take Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and Dante Moore. That would leave the Rams with a raw, but talented LaNorris Sellers. Still, the Raiders sit at seven and are also in need of a quarterback. This is also under the impression that Simpson, Moore, and Sellers even declare for the draft. All three could go back to school if they desire to do so.
It will also depend on how teams view the team-building process. If teams like the Saints, Jets, Browns, and Raiders value the quarterback position above anything else, the Rams could benefit as they did in 2024. A run on quarterbacks pushed Jared Verse down the board and they made out like bandits. It could leave the Rams with their choice of Jordyn Tyson, Spencer Fano, or a high-level cornerback. Instead of trading away a first-round pick to move up for a quarterback, the Rams could continue improving the situation around Stafford with young talent. That young talent would then provide a stable infrastructure for when the Rams do finally add a quarterback.
Taking a quarterback in the first round in 2026 was never a guarantee. It simply gave the Rams the flexibility to do so. Given that the class isn’t as strong as it was, in addition to multiple quarterback-needy teams also having two first-round picks after the trade deadline, it simply may no longer be in the cards.
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