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Sara Barshop
Los Angeles–like rams Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead sit down for their press conference after last April’s first round nfl draftThe pair asked questions about falling 20 places behind and being eliminated from the first round.
Hours before that news conference, the Rams traded pick No. 26 atlanta falconswho used it James Pierce Jr. The outside linebacker has 8.5 sacks this season, which leads all rookies. According to ESPN Research, he has recorded at least a half-sack in seven straight games, the second-longest streak by any rookie since 1982, when sacks became official.
In exchange for the No. 26 pick and a third-round pick (No. 101), the Rams received the Falcons’ first-round pick in 2026, as well as their second-round pick in 2025 (No. 46) and seventh-round pick (No. 242). The Rams used pick No. 46 on tight end. terence ferguson,
The final question of the night for the pair — about going from seven years without a first-round pick to two years in 2026 — wasn’t even over when McVay interrupted with a laugh.
“For now, we do this,” McVay said. “For now–“
Sneed immediately intervened.
“Sean will be impatient in the morning,” he said.
But Ram did not act on that impatience. Los Angeles, now 11-4, has two first-round selections in the 2026 draft (April 23-25). While Los Angeles currently has the pick at No. 27, the Falcons could have a top 10 pick. Atlanta’s pick could help the Rams select the quarterback of a lifetime Matthew Stafford – whenever that happens – or continue to build a roster around their veteran quarterback, who is the heavy favorite for MVP entering Week 17.
“It gives us more ammo to really be able to upgrade the integrity of your roster,” McVay said. “…Being able to have two picks in the first round gives you flexibility and the ability to move around or identify players that you maybe want that are realistically in the range of where they would be projected to go.”
McVay acknowledged, as the Rams prepared to play the Falcons on “Monday Night Football” (8:15 PM ET, ESPN), the draft is “too far down the road for me to think about that stuff right now.”
But even though the Rams are staring at a postseason run in 2026 in an effort to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since winning the Super Bowl during the 2021 season, the Rams’ long-term outlook also looks promising.
two years agoedge runner jared verse Snapped the Rams’ streak of seven consecutive draft picks without selecting a player in the first round.
During that time those first-round selections were used to build the roster: going up to the first quarterback drafted. Jared Goff In 2016, then to trade for wide receiver brandin cook (2018), to trade out of the first round (2019), to trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey (2020, ’21) and to trade for Stafford (2022, 2023).
During that seven-year period Snead wore a white long-sleeve shirt with his photo and the line, “F—them picks”, during the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI parade, alluding to the methodology that helped build the championship roster.
But fast forward to Week 17 of the 2025 season, McVay now referenced that mentality, saying, “We joked about ‘F them picks.’ We never really felt that way.”
“We consider all avenues to be able to shape the most competitive roster possible. Every year, there are different approaches depending on what you have? Who is under contract? Who is under rookie contract? Who is up for an extension?” McVay said.
Since winning Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, the Rams have been built around Snead’s three “weight-bearing walls” in Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and wide receiver Joe Biden. Cooper Kupp For a team with a lot of salary cap flexibility. Through the 2023 season, the Rams were the only team with more than one player – Stafford and Donald – who had an average salary of at least $30 million per year.
According to Over the Cap, the Rams have more than $81 million in cap space in 2026, which is currently the sixth-most in the NFL.
Los Angeles established itself as Because About its success in selection and draft since 2023. This offseason, teams could consider moving three players from the 2023 draft who are now eligible: Wide receivers puka nakua (fifth round), outside linebacker byron young (3rd round) and defensive end kobi turner (Third round).
as a ram Preparing your roster for 2026 and beyond is the biggest question how close Does Los Angeles need to draft a quarterback to replace Stafford after he retires?
The three-time Pro Bowler, in his 17th season, is under contract for next season after agreeing to a restructured deal in February. But, like the past two seasons, Stafford, 37, is continuing his NFL career on a year-by-year basis.
During minicamp in June, Stafford told ESPN that he didn’t want to make promises — to himself or others — about how long he wanted to play.
“I’m just trying to play at a high level for as long as I can,” Stafford said in Maui, where the team held its minicamp to wrap up its offseason program. “But with that being said, I don’t want to have any expectations, and I don’t want to set any limitations. I don’t want to sit there and go, I’m only playing this year or next year or whatever. Or I don’t want to say I’m going to play 10 more years and then be disappointed if I only play a few.”
It’s been good for the Rams this season, as Stafford is playing the best football of his career. The quarterback has thrown for 4,179 yards with 40 touchdowns and five interceptions. He ranks third in passing yards against Atlanta on Monday night with a game in hand. He still leads the league in touchdowns, with seven more passing touchdowns than Goff, who is second on the list with one more game played.,
Stafford now has three career seasons with 40 or more touchdowns. According to ESPN Research, that’s equal to the most in NFL history. aaron rodgers And Tom Brady.
“I know we feel really fortunate to have him at the helm and run the show,” McVay said, adding that Stafford has been “excellent” for the Rams this season. “And his competitiveness, his joy for those moments, his ability to be his best when he needs to be his best, his ability to lift his teammates up and his overall ownership of what we’re trying to do with intent. Whether it’s the run game or the pass game or safety-oriented.
“He’s totally ‘G’ and he’s ‘G’. I think it’s getting recognized more now, but it’s not new to us.”
Last week, Stafford was one of four Rams players named to the Pro Bowl, the fourth time in 17 seasons. Following the announcement, Stafford was asked if he was surprised that he had not been selected more often.
“I play this game to try to play at a high level and get respect from the guys you play with and against,” Stafford said. “That part of it is really cool. There are examples like that.” [where he has felt overlooked]In 2011, I thought I had a chance. I wasn’t even close, so at that time I reserved myself to just play and have fun. Whatever happens, happens, but it’s nice to be a part of it.”
“When you talk to real football people,” McVay said, he thinks Stafford is “viewed as a guy who is one of the best to do this.”
“I think it’s been pretty well accepted this year, but I think it’s probably been delayed,” McVay said. “I think you guys have asked me a lot about the level he’s playing at, but I also think that’s consistent with what he’s done. Sometimes the numbers can reflect a really good game and sometimes they don’t. I know this, since he’s been here in ’21, he’s elevated everybody around him.”
It’s the advancement of his teammates — and the level he’s playing at — that will make a difference for the Rams whenever Stafford chooses to retire. But as the Rams eye another postseason run under Stafford, they’re likely in good position for the future because of that trade with the Falcons — whether that 2026 first-round pick is being used for a quarterback, or not.
