Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft was mostly uneventful for the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams traded out of the opening round and acquired a 2026 first-rounder from the Atlanta Falcons. L.A. should have enough ammo to move up for a quarterback from a promising crop.
With that in mind, history is looking to repeat itself in next year’s draft.
Ahead of the 2016 draft, the Rams paid a ransom to move up for a signal caller to lead the franchise through its latest Hollywood chapter. The move was necessary for the team to stay relevant in the crowded Los Angeles sports scene. Jared Goff was the selection in that draft, and while he didn’t last long in L.A., it proved to be the correct move.
Les Snead has never shied away from making QB moves. His trade for Matthew Stafford paid immediate dividends, earning the franchise’s second Super Bowl title after one season.
Despite the move for Goff not panning out exactly as hoped, there is no reason to believe Snead wouldn’t try it again, especially for the right guy.
Next year’s quarterback class is worth waiting for. Even if Arch Manning doesn’t declare for the NFL after the upcoming college football season, it’s still a strong class littered with potential starters. Side note on Manning: he would’ve been my first overall pick this year if he were eligible. I don’t need to see him play a full season at Texas to know he’ll be a star, simply because he’s a Manning. Hell, I’d have signed him out the womb if I could. That’s how much I believe in him.
Anyway, the ‘26 quarterback class might be an all-timer, with or without Manning:
The 2026 NFL Draft QB Class has a chance to be an all time Class:- Arch Manning- Drew Allar- LaNorris Sellers- Garrett Nussmeier- Cade Klubnik- Sam Leavitt- Dante Moore
– Carson Beck pic.twitter.com/ilEPfqu8Jz
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) April 24, 2025
Snead and the Rams’ front office are playing 4-D chess at this rate. Six QBs were taken in the first 12 picks in last year’s draft, and only two passers were selected last night. This class never had the “it” factor, but the 2026 draft will be much, much different.
L.A. is wisely planning for next year in the search for Stafford’s successor. Or the team will go in a completely different direction and make me look stupid for writing this—gee, wouldn’t be the first time. But either way, the Rams are set up nicely for the long haul.
