The Los Angeles Rams are positioning themselves for future success, partly due to a recent trade with the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Draft. In April, the Rams traded their first-round pick, No. 26, and a third-round pick, No. 101, to the Falcons. In exchange, they received the Falcons’ first-round pick in 2026, along with their second-round pick, No. 46, and seventh-round pick, No. 242, in 2025. This strategic move could significantly impact the Rams’ roster as they look to build for the future.
The Falcons used the No. 26 pick to select outside linebacker James Pearce Jr., who has made an immediate impact in his rookie season. Pearce currently leads all rookies with 8.5 sacks and has achieved at least a half-sack in seven consecutive games. This streak is noteworthy, as it ranks as the second-longest for a rookie since the NFL began officially recording sacks in 1982, according to ESPN Research.
Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead discussed the trade during a news conference following the draft. The Rams now have two first-round picks for the 2026 draft, scheduled for April 23-25. While Los Angeles’ selection is currently projected at No. 28, the Falcons’ pick could potentially land in the top 10. This situation provides the Rams with valuable leverage to either trade up for a future quarterback or enhance their current roster around veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is a leading contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player award as the season approaches its conclusion.
“This gives us more ammo to be able to really upgrade the totality of your roster,” McVay stated. “Having two first-round picks gives you flexibility to identify players that you realistically want.”
As the Rams prepare to face the Falcons in a Monday Night Football matchup, McVay acknowledged that thoughts of the draft are not immediate priorities. Despite this, the success of the trade with Atlanta is already shaping the team’s long-term outlook positively.
The Rams had previously endured a span of seven years without a first-round pick, during which they traded selections to build their roster. Notable transactions included acquiring quarterback Jared Goff in 2016, trading for wide receiver Brandin Cooks in 2018, and securing cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2020. That seven-year period culminated in the Rams winning Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, a victory that was partly attributed to their aggressive trading strategy.
As the Rams transition their approach, McVay reflected on their past mindset, saying, “We’ve joked about the ‘F them picks’. We never really felt that way.” He emphasized the importance of evaluating all avenues to maintain a competitive team each year.
Following their Super Bowl win, the Rams have shifted from relying on key players like Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp to a more flexible financial strategy. In the 2023 season, they were the only team with more than one player—Stafford and Donald—earning an average salary of at least $30 million annually.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Rams are projected to have over $81 million in salary cap space, the sixth-highest in the NFL according to Over the Cap. This financial flexibility positions them well to extend contracts for key players from their 2023 draft class, including wide receiver Puka Nacua and defensive end Kobie Turner.
A significant consideration for the Rams remains the future of quarterback Stafford, who is currently in his 17th season. Despite being under contract for the next season, Stafford has approached his career on a year-to-year basis. During a minicamp in June, he expressed a desire to continue playing at a high level without setting specific expectations for his career duration.
“I’m trying to play at a high level as long as I possibly can,” Stafford stated. “I don’t want to set any expectations, and I don’t want to set any limitations.”
Stafford’s performance this season has been impressive, with 4,179 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. Heading into the game against Atlanta, he ranks third in passing yards and leads the league in touchdowns, with a notable seven-touchdown margin over the second-place quarterback, Goff.
His ability to elevate the team’s performance has not gone unnoticed by McVay, who praised Stafford as “outstanding” this season. “He’s a total ‘G’ and he’s been ‘G’,” McVay remarked, highlighting Stafford’s competitiveness and leadership qualities.
As the Rams prepare for a potential postseason run, their future looks increasingly promising, particularly due to the strategic trade with the Falcons. Whether they use the acquired picks to secure a quarterback or continue to enhance their roster, the Rams are poised to capitalize on their forward-thinking approach in the NFL landscape.
