Adam Schefter drops bomb on 2026 NFL draft that Rams fans cannot ignore

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. But is a pick in '26 less valuable than one in '27? That is the assertion from NFL insider Adam Schefter that Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead must decipher. And with free agency already well underway, that translation into offseason strategy must happen quickly.

Is this merely a matter of the NFL viewing the grass of the 2027 NFL draft as more promising than that of the more imminent rookie class? Perhaps? But drafts are often judged by the quality and number of quarterback prospects, and the consensus is not favorable for 2026. And so, many teams in the market for new quarterbacks will stick to veterans this year and shop for help in 2027.

Is that what you expected? Undoubtedly, some will find the news surprising, or at least mildly curious. After all, if the team is already gearing up for a Super Bowl run, a better 2027 draft could lure Snead into trading back into the 2027 draft with 2026 picks. And that may work out for LA for two reasons.

Les Snead could leverage 2026 Rams picks into 2027 selections

It was opportunity, and not strategy, that persuaded the LA Rams out of Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft to pick up an additional Round 1 pick in this year's draft. And the abundance of picks in the 2026 NFL draft has already allowed Snead to trade for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.

Four picks were included in that deal, three from this year's draft. While Snead will do whatever it takes to improve the team, you may have expected a bit more pushback if the team viewed 2026 draft picks as ultra valuable. But four picks is not something you will witness LA's GM signing off on very often.

Perhaps Los Angeles already views the 2027 NFL draft in a more positive light.

It's not easy to delay adding players. But is immediate gratification the way to go to build a competitive NFL roster? Players develop at different rates, and contracts mature at the same pace. It's only logical to spread the risk across multiple players and multiple draft classes.

And the Horns have a knack for second helpings from a particularly deep and talented position from a rookie class. In 2026, the consensus is that edge defenders, wide receivers, cornerbacks, offensive linemen, and safeties are both talented and abundant this year.

Think what you want about the 2026 NFL draft. More and more NFL draft analysts are pivoting to the 2027 NFL draft for many headliners. But fear not, this is where Les Snead does his best work.

Asl always, thanks for reading.