Rams draft picks 2026: Why LA owns Falcons' first-round pick after questionable 2025 draft deal

Daniel Mader

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Rams draft picks 2026: Why LA owns Falcons' first-round pick after questionable 2025 draft deal image

The Los Angeles Rams, playoff-bound for the third consecutive season, have enjoyed a strong 2025 under Sean McVay.

With Matthew Stafford playing like an MVP and a young defense morphing into one of the NFL's best, the Rams have been among the favorites to come out of the NFC all season. However, even with all that success, L.A. Is likely set to have a top-15 pick in next spring's NFL Draft. 

The Rams own the Atlanta Falcons' first-round selection from a deal that, in hindsight, hasn't worked out for the Falcons very well thus far.

Here's a look at the Rams' and Falcons' 2026 draft picks, revisiting the teams' 2025 draft day trade.

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Rams-Falcons draft day trade details

  • Rams receive: 2025 No. 46 overall pick (Terrance Ferguson), 2025 No. 242 overall pick (Konata Mumpfield), 2026 first-round pick
  • Atlanta receive: 2025 No. 26 overall pick (James Pearce Jr.), 2025 No. 101 overall pick (traded to acquire Xavier Watts)

Why do Rams own Falcons' 2026 first-round pick?

On draft day last April, the Falcons and Rams agreed to a deal that sent L.A.'s first-round selection (No. 26) and third-round selection (No. 101) to Atlanta in exchange for the Falcons' third-round pick (No. 46), seventh-round pick (No. 242) and their 2026 first-round pick. 

Trading a future first-rounder to move up from the 2025 second round to the late-first was always a risky move for the Falcons, but they were clearly invested in upgrading their defense after already selecting Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 15. Atlanta, seeking more young pass-rushing help, used the Rams' first-rounder to take Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.

Already armed with two young defensive pieces in Walker and Pearce, the Falcons then dealt the third-rounder they acquired from the Rams in the initial trade (No. 101), along with a fifth-round pick, to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for moving up five spots in the order and taking Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts at No. 96 overall.

As for the Rams, they were content with dropping from the first round in order land a second-rounder, which they used to land tight end Terrance Ferguson, a seventh-rounder, which they used on wide receiver Konata Mumpfield, and the prized possession of their half of the trade: the Falcons' 2026 first-round pick.

Atlanta was gambling a bit that its newly-improved young defensive core would make its 2026 first-rounder less valuable — but that hasn't exactly worked out. Through 15 games, the Falcons sit at 6-9, eliminated from playoff contention. Los Angeles, after securing an NFC playoff spot this season, is likely to receive a top-15 pick from Atlanta from last year's trade.

As for the young talent each team acquired in the deal, there remains reason for optimism on both sides. Pearce has led the Falcons in sacks with 8.5, while Watts ranks third on the team in tackles with 84, and first on the team with his three interceptions.

Ferguson (177 receiving yards, 2 TDs) and Mumpfield (82 receiving yards, 1 TD) have had fairly quiet rookie seasons, but they've also rarely been needed in a Rams offense featuring stars in Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams.

It's still somewhat early to tell how the 2025 draft day deal will work out for both sides, as Pearce and Watts are becoming solid building blocks for Atlanta's defense, while Ferguson and Mumpfield are viewed as longer-term offensive projects for the Rams. However, the Rams are almost certainly satisfied with their end of the deal — not only are they Super Bowl contenders in 2025, but because of the Falcons' struggles, they'll be getting a top-15 pick in April.

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Rams draft picks 2026

  • First-round pick (via Falcons)
  • First-round pick (own)
  • Second-round pick (own)
  • Third-round pick (own)
  • Fifth-round pick (via Titans)
  • Fifth-round pick (own)
  • Sixth-round pick (via Texans)
  • Sixth-round pick (own)
  • Seventh-round pick (via Ravens)
  • Seventh-round pick (own)

For years under Sean McVay, the Rams built a reputation for mostly disregarding draft picks compared to other teams, instead using them in trades often to land veteran players. In recent years, that philosophy has changed. In fact, L.A. Is set to have 10 picks in total for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Rams own all of their own picks except for their fourth-rounder, which they traded to the Chicago Bears last April. McVay will also be armed with the Falcons' first-rounder, the Titans' fifth-rounder, the Texans' sixth-rounder and the Ravens' seventh-rounder.

After already allowing Ferguson and Mumpfield a rookie season to develop in a talented offense, the Rams will have plenty of opportunities to build a deeper young core in the spring of 2026.

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Falcons draft picks 2026

  • Second-round pick (own)
  • Third-round pick (own)
  • Fourth-round pick (own)
  • Sixth-round pick (own)
  • Seventh-round pick (own)

On the other hand, the Falcons haven't put themselves in a situation to land a ton of talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. Not only do they owe the Rams their first-rounder from the James Pearce Jr. Deal in 2025, but the Eagles control Atlanta's fifth-round pick from last draft's deal that saw the Falcons trade up for Xavier Watts.

Despite missing the playoffs in 2025, the Falcons' premiere draft asset will be their second-round pick. They do not currently control any other teams' picks.

James Pearce Jr. Stats 2025

  • Games:  15
  • Total Tackles:  22
  • Sacks:  8.5
  • Forced Fumbles:  1
  • Passes Defended:  5

Whether or not he was worth giving up their 2026 first-round pick for, the Falcons are likely satisfied with Pearce's production in his rookie season. After a slow start to the year, he began to pick things up for Atlanta's defense in the second half of 2025.

Of Pearce's 8.5 sacks, 8.0 of them have come in the months of November and December. After registering just 0.5 sacks through eight games, Pearce has come alive to lead all rookies in sacks as of Week 17, with his teammate, Jalon Walker, behind him with 5.5 sacks.

Between Pearce's pass-rushing production in the second half and Watts' knack for turnovers, the outlook of the Falcons' half of the 2025 draft deal with the Rams has improved throughout the season. Still, Pearce and Watts will have to continue trending toward stardom if they'll justify Atlanta's decision to send out its 2026 first-round pick.

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