The Los Angeles Rams are no strangers to bold draft moves—and if the latest buzz is to be believed, they may be gearing up for another. According to longtime broadcaster Paul Allen, the Rams are “the wild card of all wild cards,” with internal chatter suggesting a potential trade-up scenario centered around Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
“Stuff I heard about the Rams yesterday, and I believe it… if the Rams are the wild card of all wild cards ever to wild card… that’s what happens when you give (Sean) McVay and (Les) Snead 13… they can go either way with it to get what they think may get them over the hump now or later.”
That “either way” could mean an aggressive climb up the board—not for a quarterback, but for one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the 2026 class.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Rams YouTube Channel
Why Jeremiyah Love?
Love isn’t just another running back prospect—he’s one of the most dynamic players in the entire draft. A two-year starter at Notre Dame, he became the centerpiece of the offense under OC Mike Denbrock, helping the Irish average over 40 points per game in 2025—their highest mark in over a century.
His résumé jumps off the page:
- 40 total touchdowns over the past two seasons (best in FBS)
- 6.9 yards per carry in both 2024 and 2025
- Doak Walker Award winner (nation’s top RB)
- 4.36 speed at 212+ pounds—rare size/speed combo
Love blends burst, balance, and physicality in a way that makes him a true three-level threat. Whether it’s hitting the edge, breaking tackles between the tackles, or stretching defenses in the passing game, he profiles as a modern offensive weapon—not just a traditional back.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
The Fit in L.A.
Head coach Sean McVay has evolved his offense multiple times, and adding a player like Love could unlock yet another iteration. Pairing his explosive ability with an already potent system would give the Rams a legitimate game-breaking element out of the backfield—something that could complement their play-action-heavy attack and stress defenses horizontally and vertically.
And with the Rams picking at No. 13—their highest selection in years—they’re in rare territory: contenders with premium draft capital.
Get LAFB’s World Famous ‘Ring Me’ Aaron Donald T-Shirt
The Cost of Aggression
If the Los Angeles Rams are serious about going up for Jeremiyah Love, history gives us a pretty clear pricing menu—and it escalates quickly the higher you climb.
Start with the extreme. When the Rams last made a massive leap—from No. 15 to No. 1 in 2016 for Jared Goff—they paid a king’s ransom: two firsts, two seconds, and a third. That’s the ceiling, and it’s typically reserved for quarterbacks.
A more modern blueprint comes from the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, who jumped from No. 12 to No. 3 by dealing three first-round picks and a third. Again, quarterback premium—but it shows how aggressive teams must be to crack the top three.
For a more realistic Rams scenario, look a tier down. The Buffalo Bills moved from No. 12 to No. 7 in 2018 for the cost of two second-round picks. That’s the kind of deal that lands you in the 7–10 range without completely mortgaging the future.
Even smaller jumps—like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moving from No. 21 to No. 14—have historically required a first- and second-round combination.
So what does that mean for L.A. sitting at 13?
- Jump to No. 7–10 range: likely costs a second-round pick plus an additional Day 2 or future asset
- Jump into the top 5 (where Love could realistically go): likely costs a 2026 first-rounder, this year’s second, and another pick—or a future first plus a sweetener
- Jump into the top 3: multiple first-round picks, no way around it
That’s the real tension here. The Rams don’t need volume—they need impact. But trading up for a running back, even one as dynamic as Love, is a different calculus than paying a quarterback tax.
It comes down to how much Sean McVay and Les Snead believe a player like Love can tilt the field immediately—and whether that’s worth sacrificing premium picks in a draft that could also address wide receiver, linebacker, or future offensive line needs.
If they do pull the trigger, though, it won’t be subtle. History says moves like this are loud, expensive—and defining.
Wild Card Energy
This wouldn’t be out of character for general manager Les Snead, who has built a reputation for bold, sometimes unconventional roster-building. Whether it’s trading future picks for proven stars or zigging when others zag, the Rams consistently operate with urgency—and creativity.
If Allen’s report holds weight, Thursday night could bring fireworks.
Because when the Rams are involved, nothing is off the table.