Rams Les Snead shockingly generous with strategy for upcoming draft

The Los Angeles Rams finished 12-5 during the 2025 NFL season. The same team boasted an MVP quarterback in veteran Matthew Stafford. And this group even advanced as far as the NFC Championship Game. And as two teams prepare to face off in Super Bowl LX, general manager Les Snead is already strategizing for 2026.

Curiously, he was more than willing to share his draft philosophy for this season. After all, the same team that often found more value in trading away Day 1 draft picks suddenly finds itself with two picks on Day 1 in this draft. And so, Snead shared how the braintrust plans to attack the draft, with particular attention to that first pick projected as the 13th overall pick:

It seems surreal for the same team to push as far as one game removed from Super Bowl LX can boast two picks in round one of the draft. But it's happening. To be more precise, the team is currently projected to make 10 picks. That may not happen, as the return of Matthew Stafford for the 2026 NFL season will persuade Snead to be more aggressive at filling in roster holes to compete now.

How do we know this? He has already informed us.

Rams 2025 NFL draft was less impactful than prior drafts

While the 2025 NFL draft yielded promising talent, it's safe to say that the rookie class of 2025 did not offer any starters. One rookie, inside linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr., was released with the intention of signing on the practice squad.

He signed with the Seattle Seahawks instead.

And so, the team that added depth may be shopping for starters . So, where did the team invest last season?

• DAY 2 PICKS
• Round 2 (46th overall) - TE Terrance Ferguson
• Round 3 (90th overall) - OLB Josaiah Stewart
• DAY 3 PICKS
• Round 4 (117th overall) - RB Jaquez Hunter
• Round 5 (148th overall) - DT Ty Hamilton
• Round 5 (172nd overall) - ILB Chris Paul Jr. (signed with Seattle Seahawks)
• Round 7 (242nd overall) - WR Konata Mumpfield

It's safe to presume larger roles for the remaining five players. But none are projected as starters for 2026. Furthermore, the team did not address areas of need in this offseason. The Rams roster needs help in the secondary, offensive line depth, and even a true playmaker to help out wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Only 12 rookie prospects will come off the board before Snead makes his selection. And the talent that will remain on the board should be both abundant and intriguing. How will the team optimize the 2026 NFL Draft? Some expect the team to deal picks for players.

While that is back on the menu, don't ignore the need for this team to address areas of need. If Los Angeles is to have any hope of competing in Super Bowl LXI, Les Snead will need to find starters, not depth players, in the 2026 NFL Draft.

As always, thanks for reading.