The 2025 NFL Draft kicked off with the first round in Green Bay on Thursday, and the Los Angeles Rams went into the night with the No. 26 overall pick.
Since taking Jared Goff No. 1 overall, the Rams have only selected in the first round once, and that was last year when they took Jared Verse, who wound up winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
It appears the Rams have started a new streak of not picking in the first round though as according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, they traded No. 26 and No. 101 in the third round to the Atlanta Falcons in a deal that included the No. 46 pick in the second round this year as well as their first rounder next year:
Falcons get:
🏈2025 1st-round pick (No. 26)
🏈2025 3rd-round pickRams get:
🏈2025 2nd-round pick (No. 46)
🏈2026 1st-round pick
🏈2025 7th-round pick https://t.co/WsQi5tQFpa— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2025
The Falcons made this trade so they could select defensive end James Pearce Jr. out of the University of Tennessee:
With the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @AtlantaFalcons select James Pearce Jr. @NewEraCap
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/td7G3aSdHu— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
This trade was exceptional value for the Rams as they turned their first and third rounder this year into a second and seventh rounder in 2025 and a first rounder in 2026.
Despite moving down 20 spots, the Rams should still be able to find an impact played at No. 46 overall on Friday. They then have two first rounders next year, and the Falcons’ pick could end up being solid if they don’t make the playoffs or win the NFC South.
With Matthew Stafford nearing the end of his career, the Rams will now have the ammo to take a quarterback in 2026 if they want.
After not making a pick on day one of the 2025 NFL Draft, L.A. will be busy the next two days as they look for diamonds in the rough in the middle and later rounds, as they have done so well in recent years.
Rams 2025 NFL Draft picks
Here is where the Rams will be picking for the rest of the 2025 NFL Draft after making this trade:
Round 2: No. 46 overall
Round 3: No. 90 overall
Round 4: No. 127 overall
Round 6: No. 190 overall (from Atlanta Falcons)
Round 6: No. 195 overall (from Pittsburgh Steelers)
Round 6: No. 201 overall
Round 6: No. 202 overall (from Chicago Bears in Jonah Jackson trade)
Round 7: No. 242 overall (from Atlanta Falcons)
