The Rams’ loss to the Falcons hurt twice as bad with the first-round pick sliding in the process

There’s only one week left in the regular season, which means the first 18 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft are nearly set. The Los Angeles Rams’ own pick won’t be in the top 18 because they’ve already clinched a playoff berth, but their selection from the Atlanta Falcons certainly will be.

They didn’t help themselves on Monday night by losing to the Falcons, causing that pick to slip down the board ever so slightly. Entering Week 18, the Rams’ pick from the Falcons sits at No. 12, one spot behind the Miami Dolphins.

The Falcons are one of three teams at 7-9, with three 6-10 teams ahead of them. If the Rams had beaten the Falcons, the pick would’ve moved up to No. 9.

Here’s a look at the current order according to Tankathon (via USA TODAY)

Las Vegas Raiders: 2-14; .542 SOSNew York Giants: 3-13 record; .531 strength of scheduleNew York Jets: 3-13, .550 SOSTennessee Titans: 3-13, .574 SOSArizona Cardinals: 3-13; .577 SOSCleveland Browns: 4-12, .491 SOSWashington Commanders: 4-12; .509 SOSNew Orleans Saints: 6-10; .493 SOSKansas City Chiefs: 6-10; .509 SOSCincinnati Bengals: 6-10; .517 SOSMiami Dolphins: 7-9; .485 SOSAtlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .496 SOSTampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9, .533 SOSDallas Cowboys: 7-8-1; .436 SOSDetroit Lions: 8-8; .491 SOSBaltimore Ravens: 8-8; .502 SOSMinnesota Vikings: 8-8; .517 SOSIndianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-8; .537 SOSCarolina Panthers: 8-8, .522 SOSPittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .509 SOSGreen Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-6-1; .480 SOSLos Angeles Chargers: 11-5; .461 SOSBuffalo Bills: 11-5, .474 SOSLos Angeles Rams: 11-5, .533 SOSPhiladelphia Eagles: 11-5; .465 SOSHouston Texans: 11-5; .526 SOSJacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 12-4; .485 SOSSan Francisco 49ers: 12-4, .493 SOSChicago Bears: 11-5; .454 SOSNew England Patriots: 13-3; .386 SOSDenver Broncos: 13-3; .426 SOSSeattle Seahawks: 13-3; .496 SOS

The Rams can’t be mad about their pick from the Falcons ending up in the top 15 because when they made that trade, they likely expected Atlanta to be better than it has been this season. Unfortunately, the pick could’ve been much earlier if not for the Falcons’ current three-game winning streak, which has taken the selection out of the top 10.

The Falcons play the Saints in the final week of the regular season so ideally, New Orleans will win that game and send Atlanta to 7-10 on the year.