Peter Schrager's last-second mock tells Rams fans exactly what they want to hear

The Los Angeles Rams hold the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the earliest selection this team has held since choosing quarterback Jared Goff with the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, some hoped the team would be able to select a future franchise quarterback in this draft.

That seems less and less likely.

But what also seems unlikely is general manager Les Snead accepting the spacious gap between picks 93 (Round 3) and 207 (Round 6). That's a huge time out for an NFL GM who does his best magic on Day 3 of the draft. So, when are the LA Rams scheduled to pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Per the team's official website:

• Round 1: No. 13 overall (from Atlanta Falcons)
• Round 2: No. 61 overall
• Round 3: No. 93 overall
• HUGE GAP
• Round 6: No. 207 overall (from Houston Texans through Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans)
• Round 7: No. 232 overall (from Baltimore Ravens)
• Round 7: No. 251 overall (compensatory)
• Round 7: No. 252 overall (compensatory)

Notice that HUGE GAP? Well, NFL Insider Peter Schrager certainly did, and in his last-second NFL mock draft, he addresses that gap by projecting the LA Rams to trade back from the 13th overall pick to pick up a Round 4 pick and a 2027 NFL Draft Round 2 pick.

And that is music to Rams fans; ears.

Projected trade gives Rams vital future firepower

The beauty of Schrager's proposed trade is how little impact the trade causes, while solving huge challenges for LA's arsenal of draft picks. Essentially, sliding back four spots in the first round yields a bonus of a vital fourth-round pick, as well as the addition of a 2027 second-round pick. The trade looks like this:

Of course, any trade proposals in a mock draft are entirely speculative. But it's difficult to imagine any fans feeling disappointed over this haul. For starters, Snead only makes this trade if he knows he has a viable target at the 17th overall pick.

Los Angeles traded back in the 2025 NFL Draft to find itself in this situation. Trading back to land a future Round 2 pick, while remaining early enough in Round 1 to select an impact player, seems like an ideal win-win scenario for both teams.

Is this realistic? Well, it does pass the sniff test. But there is a grain of salt to be taken with any draft day trade. Two teams have to emerge feeling as though they claimed greater value in the exchange. And the team with the higher pick needs the additional motivation, either from getting a premium or feeling disappointed in the available options.

In short, no draft day trade is easy to negotiate. But if the LA Rams were inclined to trade back, fans would certainly hope for a haul like this.

As always, thanks for reading.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow