{"id":707485,"date":"2026-01-26T23:15:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T23:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/707485\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T23:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T23:15:14","slug":"espn-analyst-makes-bold-prediction-for-rams-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/707485\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN analyst makes bold prediction for Rams draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jan. 26, 2026, 1:26 p.m. PT<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Rams<\/a> will have a prime opportunity this offseason to reshape the future of their franchise. With two first-round picks, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay can find their next star and almost any position they want.<\/p>\n

The biggest question mark around the Rams is whether Matthew Stafford will return in 2026. Even though the veteran quarterback reportedly told people he plans to come back<\/a> for another season, the Rams may want to get their succession plan in order early.<\/p>\n

That’s why ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicts<\/a> the Rams will make a big draft day trade for a quarterback in April.<\/p>\n

They need a young talent for when Stafford is ready to hang ’em up, whether that’s this offseason or in a few years. What better time to plan for the future than when they have two first-round picks?<\/p>\n

But who would that quarterback even be? Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders or No. 2 to the New York Jets. Both are quarterback-needy teams, so it would take a lot for either team to give up a chance at a franchise player for a mid- and late-round pick.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

This isn’t a good first-round quarterback draft class, either. The next-best prospect is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Miami’s Carson Beck or Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss. Simpson is a fringe-first-rounder, while Beck and Chambliss are Day 2 or Day 3 prospects.<\/p>\n

If the Rams can find a package that lands them Mendoza, then this is a no-brainer. But for a team with needs elsewhere, it would be unwise for Snead and McVay to sell their assets for a shot at one of the other prospects.<\/p>\n

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