These 4 teams' selections in Round 1 could have huge impacts for Rams draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is as much of an enigma for the Los Angeles Rams as it is for the other 31 NFL teams. The greatest challenge for the Rams front office is determining who the other 25 teams are selecting before the Rams step up to the podium. It matters simply because what the first 25 NFL teams choose to do has a direct impact on which rookie prospects will be on the board by the time that the Rams finally make a selection.

The Rams can invest a lot of hours trying to glean the perfect fit in Round 1. Buf if that player is off the board, all that effort is for naught.

So it matters what other teams do in terms of the Rams' draft strategy. While any team that makes a selection before the Rams pick at the 26th overall selection can impact the Rams, here are four NFL teams whose decision has the potential to be a significant impact on the Rams' draft strategy. Which teams are they? They are:

5 - Jacksonville Jaguars

No other team's general manager has more insight into the Rams draft strategy than Jacksonville Jaguars GM James Gladstone. While his selection at the fifth-overall pick in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft may not be viewed as having an immediate impact on the Rams draft, the aggregate effect of the Jaguars having early picks and Gladstone's insight into what the Rams plan could derail the team's chance of a prospect or two remaining on the board.

The Jaguars have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and after their 5th overall pick, can package a number of picks at 36th, 70th, 88th, 107th, 126th, 142nd, 182nd, 194th, and 221st to trade up and ahead of the Rams if they believe a rookie warrants the investment.

While many NFL mock drafts have the Jaguars selecting Michigan DT Mason Graham, some mocks pit the Jaguars selecting PSU TE Tyler Warren. If that happens, it's unlikely that Michigan TE Colston Loveland will make it out of the Top 10. That could alter the Rams Round 1 strategy, and may trigger the team's interest in trading back to add additional picks.

9 - New Orleans Saints

The next team in line to throw a monkey wrench into the gears of the 2025 NFL Draft for the Rams is the New Orleans Saints. While the Saints are in the market for a number of rookie prospects in positions that interest the Rams, their fork in the road is whether or not the Saints opt for a quarterback at the ninth overall selection.

If the Saints do mildly surprise analysts with a quarterback selection with their ninth overall pick, two things happen. First, a non-quarterback rookie prospect remains on the board, causing the pachinko cascade effect that carries all the way to the Rams at the 26th overall pick. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the removal of what is almost certainly the third quarterback off the board could influence other quarterback needy teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers (21st) to jump on a rookie quarterback.

10 - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears maka this list as the lowest slot that at least one of the top two tight ends are likely to fall in this draft. With draft analysts grading Penn State TE Tyler Warren and Michigan TE Colston Loveland virtually tied, some mock drafts project their similarities as sustaining them on the board to this point. But you can bet that the Bears will spend their 10th overall pick on either Warren or Loveland. The big question is: If only one tight end remains on the board at 10, do the Bears pull the trigger on the second tight end?

Due to a lack of competition as an elite rookie prospect at other positions, I fear that answer is yes.

Some mocks project the Bears as the team that scores with RB Ashton Jeantry. If he is there at 10, he is a compelling selection for a Bears team that wants to add offensive firepower to the roster.

22 - Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers at 22 position the last spot that any tight end on the Rams radar likely needs to clear in order to last until pick 26. And in many mock drafts, the best tight end on the draft board at this point is Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. But this is a team that is also looking out for a top cornerback, defensive lineman, or wide receiver. All three positions are in play for the Rams in Round 1 as well.

Perhaps one of the most painful scenarios would be a coveted player like TE Colston Loveland or Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart falling as far as 22, but some scenario developing with a trade or simply a Chargers selection to pull that player off the board just out of reach of the Rams at 26.

Of course, any NFL team can derail the Rams draft plans simply be shocking NFL analysts with an unexpected selection. If a team reaches for a rookie that is not projected as a Round 1 selection, the Rams could find a larger number of rookies on the board to choose from. If all 25 teams adhere to the script, the Rams could find it more worthwhile to trade out of Round 1, and pick up more draft picks in the process.

Ultimately, the Rams have to be prepared for anything. With no clear consensus among draft analysts after the top tier of 10 or so rookie prospects, expect plenty of draft trades and unexpected twists and turns throughout the three-day event. While it means plenty of drama, this type of draft creates spectacular opportunities for Rams GM Les Snead to jump on unexpected bargains.

As always, thanks for reading.

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