There were only four trades on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. The biggest one involved the Jacksonville Jaguars moving up three spots to take Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, while the Cleveland Browns went down to No. 5 and not only landed Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, but also received Jacksonville’s 2026 first-round pick.
You know who else got a 2026 first-round pick? The Los Angeles Rams.
From “F—k them picks” to “F—k! I want them picks!” in the blink of an eye, Les Snead managed to land a bonus first-rounder for next year’s draft after the Atlanta Falcons made the bold move to trade up from No. 46 all the way back into the first round. Yes, a 20-spot jump with other picks involved, but none more valuable than the 2026 FRP.
Falcons trade: pick 46, 242 and their 2026 first round pick
Rams trade: pick 26, 101
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 25, 2025
The Falcons, who’d already drafted linebacker/edge rusher Mykal Walker from Georgia at No. 15, then double-dipped and selected James Pearce Jr from Tennessee. I suppose a sack-starved team will do anything it can to get more pass rush in its life. Here are some reactions to the move:
Basically, the Falcons traded down from 46 to 101 and sent their 2026 1st for a 2025 1st to get Pearce. I don’t mind the trade in concept. But idk about Pearce this early.
— (@CarasikS) April 25, 2025
What in the world are the Falcons doing??
GREAT trade for the Rams! Tremendous flexibility to potentially find Stafford’s successor in next year’s draft. Two first-round picks in 2026. That Falcons pick is high variance — could be really high!
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) April 25, 2025
Falcons give up their #1 pick in ’26… for James Pearce
I’ve received nearly a dozen texts from guys around the league who are…. shocked
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) April 25, 2025
I think the Chiefs had the best night. Got a franchise LT at 32 overall and picked up a late pick along the way.
I think the Falcons had the worst night. What are they doing?!
— Seahawk Nerd (@SeahawkNerd) April 25, 2025
Atlanta narrowly missed the playoffs last season even with Kirk Cousins’ rapid decline. Michael Penix Jr looked extremely promising and could be the franchise QB the Falcons hoped he’d be. Provided he stay healthy, Penix could lead Atlanta to a season so strong that the first-rounder given to the Rams would be a last first-rounder. Atlanta might as well go all-in on the playoff push or else we could see a house cleaning in the front office, starting with GM Terry Fontenot.
These are the Atlanta Falcons. Something will go wrong because something always goes wrong. The Rams now have a pair of first-round picks to play with in a draft class expected to be loaded with quarterback talent.
It’s fun when the Seattle Seahawks get to have extra first-round picks and a team to root against. This is not as fun when another NFC West team is in the same spot.
