As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, set to unfold from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves at a pivotal juncture. General Manager Les Snead, known for his bold and unconventional roster-building strategies, is once again poised to shake up the draft landscape. According to a recent analysis from Sports Illustrated, the Rams are contemplating a trade out of their first-round pick at No. 26 overall—a move that could redefine their approach to an already youthful and talented roster. With a significant gap between their first and second selections (No. 90 overall), this potential trade could be the key to maximizing draft capital and addressing critical needs as the team chases another Super Bowl title.
The Rams’ Draft Dilemma
The Rams’ current draft position presents both opportunity and challenge. Sitting at No. 26, they’re unlikely to land one of the top-tier prospects without a costly trade-up, yet their pick holds value for teams looking to leapfrog into the late first round or re-enter it after an earlier selection. However, the 70-plus pick void between No. 26 and No. 90—a gap spanning the entire second round and much of the third—limits their ability to address multiple roster holes in the early rounds. For a team that has thrived on finding immediate contributors in recent drafts, this scarcity of early picks could stall their momentum.
Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have built a reputation for draft-day wizardry, unearthing gems like Puka Nacua (fifth round, 2023) and Kyren Williams (fifth round, 2022) while navigating limited high-end draft capital. Their 2024 rookie class, headlined by Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, further underscored their scouting prowess. Yet, with a roster still in flux after the post-Aaron Donald era and a tight salary cap following aggressive free-agent moves, the Rams need more bites at the apple in 2025. Trading back from No. 26 could be the solution, offering a chance to stockpile picks and maintain their pipeline of young talent.
Why Trade Back Makes Sense
The Sports Illustrated piece highlights three potential trade-back scenarios, each tailored to the Rams’ needs and Snead’s penchant for flexibility. The Rams’ roster, while brimming with young stars, has glaring weaknesses—most notably at linebacker, and cornerback. Trading down could net additional picks in the second or third rounds, where Snead has historically excelled, while still allowing the team to target high-upside players in a deep draft class.
One proposed partner is the Cleveland Browns, who, sitting at No. 33, might offer picks No. 33 and No. 67 to move up seven spots for a quarterback like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. For Cleveland, it’s a chance to secure a developmental signal-caller behind an aging or departing starter; for the Rams, it’s a haul that bridges their pick gap and adds a valuable Day 2 selection. Another option involves the Buffalo Bills, who could package No. 30 and No. 109 to climb four spots for an edge rusher, leaving the Rams with a late first-rounder and an early fourth-round pick to bolster depth.
The third scenario envisions a deal with a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who might jump from No. 31 with a combination of picks (e.g., No. 31 and a 2026 third-rounder) to snag a falling prospect. Each move aligns with Snead’s philosophy: prioritize volume and versatility over a single splashy selection, especially in a draft where the Rams’ immediate needs don’t perfectly match the talent available at No. 26.
Secondary and Succession
The secondary demands attention. Cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick have shown promise, but their inconsistency against top receivers exposed a need for reinforcement. Trading back could position the Rams to grab a polished cover man like Michigan’s Will Johnson (if he slides) or Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison in the early second round. Safety Kamren Kinchens, another 2024 rookie standout, pairs well with Quentin Lake, but depth remains thin.
Then there’s the quarterback question. Matthew Stafford, restructured for 2025, remains a top-tier passer at 37, but his long-term successor isn’t on the roster. Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett offer little beyond short-term insurance. While trading back might not yield a first-round quarterback, it could open the door to a mid-round flyer like Ohio State’s Will Howard or South Louisville’s Tyler Shough—prospects with tools to develop under McVay’s tutelage.
The Snead-McVay Playbook
This isn’t uncharted territory for the Rams. In 2016, Snead traded up to No. 1 for Jared Goff, a blockbuster that paid off with a Super Bowl appearance. More recently, he’s flipped first-round picks for proven veterans like Stafford and in 2019, for Jalen Ramsey, betting on immediate impact over draft uncertainty. Trading back in 2025 would flip that script, reflecting a roster that’s younger and less reliant on star power. It’s a calculated gamble: sacrifice a premium pick for the chance to hit on multiple contributors, trusting the scouting staff to unearth the next Nacua or Verse.
The Bigger Picture
The Rams are a top NFC contender, buoyed by a revamped offense featuring Davante Adams alongside Nacua and a defense finding its footing under coordinator Chris Shula. Trading out of the first round wouldn’t signal retreat but adaptation—a recognition that sustained success requires fresh blood. The Super Bowl window remains open, but its hinges need oiling.
Will Snead pull the trigger? The draft’s unpredictability—falling prospects, desperate trade-up offers—will dictate the final call. For now, the Rams stand at a crossroads, their No. 26 pick a bargaining chip in a high-stakes game. If history is any guide, expect the unexpected. Snead and McVay don’t just play the draft—they rewrite it.
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