The Los Angeles Rams traded out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with head coach Sean McVay stating the offer was ‘too good to be able to pass up’ from the Atlanta Falcons. NFL executives reportedly believe that it plays into a strategy the Rams have for next year.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, multiple NFL executives believe the Rams may wind up taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With next year’s quarterback viewed as deep, those inside the league think McVay and general manager Les Snead are eyeing Matthew Stafford‘s successor.
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In the draft-night trade with Atlanta, Los Angeles received the Falcons’ first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Rams also have their picks in Rounds 1-6, giving them the draft capital necessary to move up in the first round of the draft next year.
Next year’s quarterback class is currently viewed as being significantly deeper than this year’s talent pool, especially when it comes to high-end passers. Los Angeles. There is a consensus belief regarding the decision by Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Even if he doesn’t declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, that still leaves the likes of Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Carson Beck (Miami), Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) and Nico Iamaleava (UCLA).
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Los Angeles doesn’t even necessarily have to move on from Stafford if it takes a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft class. The Super Bowl winner carries a $48.266 million cap hit next year and his familiarity with McVay’s scheme likely makes him the best option.
McVay and Snead would have the option of taking a quarterback with the Falcons’ first-round selection or packaging both of their Round 1 picks to move up. Whichever path Los Angeles took, it would be the first time in the McVay era that the franchise took a quarterback in Round 1. It would give Los Angeles a long-term answer, which McVay wants, while allowing a well-built Rams roster to still compete in 2026.
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