{"id":794044,"date":"2026-03-05T15:47:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/794044\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:47:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:47:37","slug":"rams-outsmart-the-league-with-their-number-1-draft-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/794044\/","title":{"rendered":"Rams outsmart the league with their number 1 draft pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Rams<\/a> seem to have their own unique strategy when it comes to drafting NFL<\/a> prospects.<\/p>\n

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Sine 2017, the Rams organization have traded away almost all of their own first round draft choices aside from in 2024, when they took pass rusher Jared Verse out of Florida State, as per @BetMGM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles also recently sent<\/a> the first round selection they would have had in this year\u2019s draft<\/a>, along with a few other picks, to the Kansas City<\/a> Chiefs in exchange for All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I wonder if they\u2019re onto something here with 1st round pick arbitrage. Basically, operating on the principle that other teams over value 1st round picks & unless it\u2019s a top 10 pick, it\u2019s better to have a good player now than a shot at a good player in the draft. https:\/\/t.co\/YpnXhxtJhF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) March 5, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

LA\u2019s winning Draft tactics<\/p>\n

This approach to the first round has also been an effective one for LA. Since 2017, when Sean McVay<\/a> became the side\u2019s head coach, the Rams have made the playoffs on seven occasions and have also won their division four times, as per therams.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Most notably, the NFC West<\/a> franchise has had two trips to the Super Bowl dating back to the 2017 season.<\/p>\n

While McVay\u2019s squad lost to the New England Patriots<\/a> in Super Bowl LIII, they were able to capture the title three years later when they won Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> in their home stadium.<\/p>\n

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Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) celebrates after a pressure in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Additionally, the Rams have also made key trades<\/a> and free agency<\/a> moves that have worked out well for their team.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles traded for star QB and last year\u2019s MVP Matthew Stafford ahead of the 2021 campaign when they won the Super Bowl. And they have also previously acquired players such as Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller<\/a> via trade, both of whom played a part in their Super Bowl LVI victory.<\/p>\n

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Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half during the NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In terms of free agency, the Rams front office have also made some nice additions in that department such as when they picked up Odell Beckham Jr. and more recently when they signed Davante Adams.<\/p>\n

Overall, even though drafting in the first round hasn\u2019t really been a focus for LA, the Rams have also still been successful when it comes to finding talent in the NFL Draft as they have selected quality players such as Verse, Puka Nacua, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Kyren Williams in recent years.<\/p>\n

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