Although there were plenty of selections still to come in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams faced a pivotal moment as the New York Jets prepared to announce their choice with the seventh overall pick. Rumors had swirled about the Rams potentially trading up to draft wide receiver Tet McMillan. Meanwhile, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was unexpectedly still available at pick No. 26.
By that point, nearly all of the players the Rams were believed to be targeting in the first round had already been selected. Even Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was off the board after the New York Giants made a move to trade up to pick No. 25, striking a deal with the Houston Texans to secure their new quarterback. It’s unclear how much truth there was to the speculation linking the Rams to Dart, but once he was taken, Los Angeles shifted direction.
Presented with an appealing trade offer from the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams decided to move out of the first round altogether. In return for their first-round pick (No. 26) and a third-rounder (No. 101), the Rams received Atlanta’s second-round pick (No. 46), a seventh-rounder (No. 242), and a first-round pick in the 2026 draft.
https://x.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1915601367097622857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1915601367097622857%7Ctwgr%5E418f3b3075e52e21c91d80751148a13f9fde5d2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Framblinfan.com%2Fla-rams-wasted-no-time-trading-back-after-giants-snagged-jaxson-dart-01jsn7dcnrkp
Rams beat writer Stu Jackson promptly confirmed the trade, and just like that, the Rams’ 2026 draft capital is shaping up to be highly valuable.
https://x.com/StuJRams/status/1915603772010836000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1915603772010836000%7Ctwgr%5E418f3b3075e52e21c91d80751148a13f9fde5d2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Framblinfan.com%2Fla-rams-wasted-no-time-trading-back-after-giants-snagged-jaxson-dart-01jsn7dcnrkp
Revised 2025 NFL Draft Pick Summary:
- Round 2 (46th overall)
- Round 3 (90th overall)
- Round 4 (127th overall)
- Round 6 (190th overall, from Falcons)
- Round 6 (195th overall, from Steelers)
- Round 6 (201st overall)
- Round 6 (202nd overall, via Bears from Texans)
- Round 7 (242nd overall)
Even after dealing away their first- and third-round picks to the Falcons on Day 1, the Rams still hold eight total selections in the 2025 draft. In essence, they dropped 20 spots in the second round and 141 spots overall this year in order to gain a valuable first-round pick in 2026.
2026 Draft Outlook:
After going several years without a first-round selection, the Rams now find themselves in possession of two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to the recent trade.
https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1915605431667270075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1915605431667270075%7Ctwgr%5E418f3b3075e52e21c91d80751148a13f9fde5d2b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Framblinfan.com%2Fla-rams-wasted-no-time-trading-back-after-giants-snagged-jaxson-dart-01jsn7dcnrkp
The Rams are currently projected to hold eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Round 1
- Round 1 (via Atlanta Falcons)
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Round 4
- Round 5
- Round 5 (from Titans, conditionally traded back)
- Round 6 (via Texans)
- Round 7 (via Ravens)
(Note: Their original Round 7 pick was traded to the Texans)
Though it’s still early in the 2026 draft process, the Rams appear to be building a stockpile of picks—especially with two first-rounders—which could position them to trade up if they fall in love with a quarterback prospect next year.
With two Day 1 and two Day 2 picks in hand for 2026, even a Super Bowl run in the upcoming season wouldn’t prevent the Rams from making a major move up the board if the right player is available. For now, the team’s focus shifts to preparing for their two Day 2 picks in the current draft.
