Rams’ savvy draft maneuver might’ve set up the perfect 2026 payoff

While it's far too soon to salivate over the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams would be foolish to ignore the event completely. Players must be trimmed from the roster to achieve the 53-player limit for the new NFL season. And those players can sign elsewhere. As fans prepare for the upcoming season, the team is already pivoting to develop plans to restock the roster next season.

And that strategy is lynch-pinned to the 2026 NFL Draft.

LA is facing the maturation of rookie players and the inflation of those rookie contracts to the fair market value of their second deals. The Rams face price increases for NT Kobie Turner, OLB Byron Young, and IOL Steve Avila.

The most economical route to restocking this team and so many projected free agents is to plan on adding plenty of rookies. With the team projected to sport 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, reinforcements will arrive in droves. Of the bunch, fans are most interested in the first-round pick obtained from the Atlanta Falcons.

Latest NFL projections suggest Rams land Top-10 pick

The Rams acquired the Falcons' 2026 first-rounder this past draft. LA sent their 26th and 101st picks to Atlanta for their 46th and 242nd picks, as well as a 2026 first-rounder.

Everyone knows that the order of the NFL draft runs in the opposite direction from the previous season's standings. USA Today projected the final records of every team:

USA Today’s official NFL projections are here …

What stands out? pic.twitter.com/2tFZeijTYm

— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) August 8, 2025

To determine the draft order of picks, we simply flip the standings. Here is how teams are projected to finish in 2025

1. New York Giants (2-15)
2. New Orleans Saints (2-15)
3. Cleveland Brown (3-14)
4. Indianapolis Colts (4-13)
5. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
6. Miami Dolphins (5-12)
7. New York Jets (7-10)
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
9. Chicago Bears (7-10)

While a Top-10 pick does not ensure that a top quarterback prospect will fall within reach, it does improve the likelihood that the Rams may try to trade up for one. That's predicated on the front office identifying a worthy target.

Of course, a Top-10 pick could translate into elite performers for many positions. The team could target an elite wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback, or even edge rusher at that spot. The front office could even put the pick on the trade block to amass more draft capital if they have their eyes set on someone in a future draft class.

A Top-10 pick is proof that the gamble has the potential to pay off. Turning the 26th and 101st picks into the 46th, 242nd, and a Top-10 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft would be an excellent return. But picks are just currency — the real measure is how well those players perform. So far, Rams GM Les Snead has been crushing it. As always, thank you for reading.