NFL Draft: Rams benefit from Zach Wilson trade in this full Round 1 mock

1 change of draft needs changes everything in Round 1

While the early selections in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft are insulated from the roster moves of the New York Jets and Denver Broncos, the overall impact of the trade by the Denver Broncos to acquire young QB Zach Wilson does change the landscape of the overall draft for the LA Rams in Round 1, and here's why.

If you presume that the Broncos will not attempt to trade up in the draft to select one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, then a quarterback will fall further and land with one of the other quarterback needy teams in Round 1, like the Minnesota VIkings. The Broncos also need secondary help, while the Vikings need help on their defensive front.

With a Vikings now able to acquire a quarterback, they will not seek to address their needs for a pass rusher in Round 1. That could prove to be incredibly fortuitous for the LA Rams. Need Proof? Let's mock the first 32 picks in Round 1 to see exactly what I mean.

Round 1 Order

The LA Rams have a number of needs and wants that can be addressed. In a Final Rams Mock Draft, we simulated how the Rams could saturate their roster needs in a seven-round mock draft that delivers instant reinforcements to a young and thin defense. But what happens in Round 1 impacts every other round in the 2024 NFL Draft.

So let's pivot from a full seven-round Rams mock draft to take a quick stab at Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, now that the Broncos have traded for QB Zach Wilson. While Wilson may not end up as the Broncos' starting quarterback this season, his presence on their roster takes the Broncos out of the Round 1 QB market for now. The current order for Round 1 is cited below, and NFL team needs are supplied by the NFL.com draft tracker. All set? Let mock Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.