Seahawks salvo Falcons, but unintentionally help Rams hopes in the process

In Week 14, many things are in play. The 9-3 Los Angeles Rams are trying to fend off the incessant pressure placed on them to win by the 10-3 Seattle Seahawks and the 9-4 San Francisco 49ers. But along the way, there is that small matter of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the first-round pick traded from the Atlanta Falcons in the 2026 NFL Draft that now belongs to general manager Les Snead.

Right now, it appears to be firmly entrenched among the Top 10 selections of the upcoming draft. That is something LA could only have hoped for when making that trade.

While the Falcons may not improve their draft position, they certainly did not lose any ground after a humbling defeat at the hands of the Seahawks. The game was knotted up at six points apiece at halftime, and with homefield advantage, Dirty Birds fans had to have a growing feeling of confidence. But that confidence was short-lived as Atlanta was outscored by 31 to nothing in the second half.

Why the Falcons pick is so important to Rams 2026 NFL season

While the likelihood of choosing a franchise-defining quarterback from the sixth through tenth picks of the 2026 NFL Draft is remote, Los Angeles has an extensive shopping list for the draft already. Fans already know that Snead will be searching for rookies to fill multiple vacancies on the offensive side of the football.

LA knows that time is running out on the careers of right tackle Rob Havenstein, tight end Tyler Higbee, and even starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. But offense is not the only side of the football that needs to be addressed. The best place to find top-tier talent is early in Round 1. Right now, Snead is armed with enough draft-day currency to go on a shopping spree.

The last thing Seahawks fans wanted was to help out Los Angeles. But in the quest for dominating the division, the Falcons got in their way. Fortunately for LA Rams fans, the further the Falcons fall, the better that Round 1 pick becomes. Conceivably, Atlanta could close out 2025 with a six-game losing streak, sinking them to 4-13.

In 2024, 4-13 teams selected from the fourth to sixth overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Thanks to the Seahawks, the dream for a Top-Five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is still alive.

As always, thanks for reading.