Even now, the Los Angeles Rams are spinning through a myriad of draft scenarios to put all realistic options on their radar screen. The front office does not want to fumble in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Not only is the team investing heavily in the Round 1 pick, but the team must sit through 63 other rookie selections before returning to the podium for the 90th overall pick in Round 3.
After some insightful comments by former Rams legendary quarterback Jim Everett about why and how the Rams might be tempted to trade back, we did a deep dive investigating the likelihood of the Rams' opportunity to trade back from the 26th overall pick. Curiously, the scenario not only held water, but proved to be a reasonable scenario if certain conditions are met.
One of the conditions leading the Rams to trade back is the willingness of either the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, or New Orleans Saints to use their Top-10 pick in Round 1 for a non-quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. And with the level of talent available early in the draft, it's not as far fetched as some analysts may believe.
Those trade back scenarios look even more likely with the latest NFL rumors reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. In his latest update, he cites both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants as leaning to selecting non-quarterbacks with their early Round 1 picks.
If that happens, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders will tumble down the draft board. And if Sanders tumbles, so too will Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart and Louisville QB Tyler Shough:
REPORT: The #Browns and #Giants might not draft a QB, per @AdamSchefter:
— The Sports Fellow (@SportsFellow_) April 2, 2025
"The Cleveland Browns are inclined to look elsewhere aside from QB. And it's starting to feel like the New York Giants at #3 are starting to look elsewhere other than QB."
(🎥: Adam Schefter Podcast) pic.twitter.com/G1Bm1CQOYf
Okay, so how will that impact the Rams at the 26th overall pick? And why might this be a positive development?
The need for the Browns, Giants, and even the Saints to select a quarterback does not magically disappear. In all likelihood, if these teams do not address the quarterback position early, they are that much more likely to seek a partner late in the 2025 NFL Draft to trade back into Round 1 to select a quarterback. And that plays right into the Rams hands.
If the Rams have multiple talented quarterbacks on the draft board, their pick is going to go up for the highest bidder. There are many teams that could be in the market for the Rams pick at 26th overall. And for those teams, it would cost them at least a Round 2 and 5 picks (perhaps more if the bidding gets heated up).
The scenario of the Rams trading back is gathering steam. This is not wild speculation. It's simply the logical pattern that has developed over many NFL drafts that kicks in. As talented as many rookies are at the quarterback position, the available talent at other positions is far superior. So it makes sense for the teams that are in a position to help themselves to that elite rookie talent, and then try to double back for a lesser-gifted quarterback.
The Rams would be delighted to give some NFL team a shot at drafting a quarterback, for a price. And this adds a little extra spice to the Rams draft on Day 1. Stay tuned.
As always, thanks for reading.