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The Los Angeles Rams aren’t just careening toward a No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture, but a top-10 draft pick as well. L.A. owns the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick as well as its own, and could use both to move anywhere in the draft.
That’s exactly what Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema thinks could happen in the 2026 NFL draft next April. Sikkema speculates that the Rams package at least both of their first-round picks (which are currently Nos. 9 and 31) to move up in a trade with the New York Giants to the No. 1 overall pick. With it, Sikkema writes that Rams should take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
It’s hard to believe the New York Giants’ best plan for the 2026 NFL Draft involves staying at No. 1 overall — not with Mendoza playing like a quarterback who could command that spot from a team desperate for help under center.
The Rams got a gift last year when they traded back with Atlanta and picked up a future first that now sits in the top 10, and there may be no better use of it than going all-in to secure their quarterback of the future. They’d likely need to part with at least their two first-round picks to move up to No. 1.
Drafting Mendoza is a long-term bet for Sean McVay and the Rams, no matter what Matthew Stafford does with his career. The veteran could easily retire after the 2025 season — especially if L.A. wins the Super Bowl — or stick around for at least another year. Either way, Mendoza would be in a good landing spot. He’d either mentor under McVay in one of the best offenses in the NFL as a potential Year 1 starter or get McVay and Stafford as his mentors for at least one season where he wouldn’t be expected to see the field.
Considering how well Mendonza played throughout the 2025 season (he finished with an FBS-best 33 passing touchdowns and added 2,980 yards with only six interceptions) and after winning the Big Ten title game, he’s in a prime position to excel at the next level if put in a good spot. The Rams are a great place for a young quarterback to land, even if he doesn’t need to start immediately.
The worry with a trade this big, though, is that it’s a big bet on one player when the Rams might want to find other players at other positions of need. The No. 9 pick could be used to add a key defensive player, particularly in the secondary, or even find a starting offensive lineman. There are other quarterbacks who could fall, too.
But the prospect of landing the top quarterback in the draft might be too good to pass up for McVay and general manager Les Snead. The Rams have some time before they need to make that decision, though.