Les Snead's free agency tactics sets up Rams for a sound draft strategy

The Los Angeles Rams have a rather successful streak going since combining the football smarts of general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay in 2017. Over their nine NFL seasons, they have mustered 92 wins to just 57 losses. They've appeared in two Super Bowls, winning once. And they've done so without first-round picks,

So, how do they manage to keep winning? You can blame Les Snead. His thorough approach to refilling roster vacancies is worth studying. Even after the roster is filled, he doubles back to upgrade further. But he does so by patching holes with veterans in free agency, and then rounding out depth and future needs via the draft.

"Our macro philosophy is, if we can use free agency to not be desperate in the draft, we more than likely will be better drafters… because we are not reaching, we are not desperate"

Samuel Lester Snead

Snead misses. But he keeps on rolling the dice, knowing that not trying is a default failure. Sometimes he hits the jackpot. Round 5 in the NFL Draft has yielded two offensive powerhouses in running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Puka Nacua. And his Round 3 stalwart defenders in defensive lineman Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Young are equally miraculous.

Les Snead's proof is in the Rams draft pudding

LA Rams general manager Les Snead is often one of the smartest men in the room, but he won't show it. He has the type of humility that seems to warmly welcome discussion, and he shrewdly listens intently. The sparks of genius can fly from anyone and anywhere.

Snead is not a contrarian, per se. He simply travels to the beat of his own drum. He doesn't bid on popular players if possible. And from his track record, he is willing to set a value on a player and stick to it. That is, he is not often swept into a bidding war that leads to an overpay. Has it worked?

One NFL expert, Steve Palazzolo, thinks so. He shared research that suggests Snead has led Los Angeles to the best drafting team since 2021 (non-quarterbacks). Now, keep in mind, LA has used just one first-round pick over that period. But Snead has driven picks out of the park with his wily insights.

And that draft success is born from avoiding overreach, from drafting for value-added players with specific roles in mind. That has only been possible with a willingness to ensure quality competition from free agency.

Los Angeles appears to be robustly ready for 2026, and the 2026 NFL Draft will merely add depth and competition to a roster that is rapidly taking shape as a good one. It's still a work-in-progress, but it's certainly enough to encourage fans to believe that this could be their year.

As always, thanks for reading.