LA Rams wasted no time trading back after Giants snagged Jaxson Dart

While there are many picks to be made in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams had a critical checkpoint to clear as the New York Jets stepped up to the draft podium to make the selection at the seventh overall pick. And there were reported rumors of the Rams attempting to trade up in Round 1 for WR Tet McMillan. There was also the tumble of Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, who was still on the board at the 26th overall pick.

Almost all of the Rams' projected Round 1 targets were off the board. Even Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart was off the board, as the New York Giants traded up to the 25th overall pick with the Houston Texans to ensure that they could land their rookie QB. Were rumors that linked the Rams to Jaxson Dart legit? It's hard to say. But after the team lost the opportunity to select Dart, the Rams packed up and no longer stood their ground. With a very lucrative offer from the Atlanta Falcons, hopes for a Day 1 selection flew out the window.

The Rams traded out of Round 1. The Rams landed a pick in Round 2 (46th overall), Round 7 (242nd overall), and a 2026 Round 1 in exchange for the Rams' Round 1 pick (26th overall) and Round 3 (101st overall).

Rams beat reporter Stu Jackson was quick to confirm the trade. And just like that, the Rams 2026 NFL draft picks are suddenly looking very valuable:

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Pick Summary

• Round 2 (46th overall)
• Round 3 (90th overall
• Round 4 (127th overall)
• Round 6 (190th overall) (via Falcons)
• Round 6 (195th overall) (via Steelers)
• Round 6 (201st overall) 
• Round 6 (202nd overall) (via Bears (originally from Texans)
• Round 7 (242nd overall)

Despite the trade on Day 1, which sent a Round 1 and 3 picks to the Atlanta Falcons, the team retains eight draft picks for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Rams effectively move back 20 spots and 141 spots in this year's draft to pick up a Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Rams draft picks in 2026

The Rams had gone many years without using a Round 1 pick. Now, after tonight's trade, the Rams hold two Round 1 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Rams project to have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are:

• Round 1
• Round 1 pick (via Atlanta Falcons)
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Round 5
• Round 5 (via Tennessee Titans)
• (Conditionally traded to Titans)
• Round 6 (via Houston Texans)
• (Traded away Round 7 pick to Texans
• Round 7 (via Baltimore Ravens)

While the early projections for the 2026 NFL Draft are still formulating, I see the Rams stockpiling Round 1 picks for next year as the beginnings of a war chest to be used in the likelihood that the team loves a rookie quarterback in next year's draft.

With a total of two picks on Day 1, and two picks on Day 2, even if the Rams play in Super Bowl LX, the team will still have enough ammunition to trade up if the right rookie is on the board. For now, the Rams draft brain trust must now regroup and prepare to make two selections on Day 2 of the draft.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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