The Los Angeles Rams are quietly keeping tabs on the Atlanta Falcons - and not just because of NFC playoff implications. With the regular season winding down, there's a lot more at stake for L.A. than meets the eye.
Here’s why: the Rams own the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick. That’s right - a team that once famously shrugged off draft capital now holds not one, but two first-rounders in 2026.
And with the Falcons stumbling through a rough season, that pick had the potential to land in the top 10. Keyword: had.
Atlanta’s recent win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers threw a bit of a wrench into those plans. It bumped the Falcons' record to 5-9, nudging their draft slot down a spot and, in turn, slightly lowering the value of the pick now in L.A.’s hands.
The Rams, who acquired the pick during the 2025 NFL Draft when Atlanta traded up to snag edge rusher James Pearce, saw it drop from No. 9 to No. 10.
Here’s how the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft order currently shakes out, per Tankathon:
- New York Giants: 2-11
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2-11
- Tennessee Titans: 2-11
- Cleveland Browns: 3-10
- New Orleans Saints: 3-10
- Washington Commanders: 3-10
- New York Jets: 3-10
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-10
- Cincinnati Bengals: 4-9
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): 5-9
Now, there’s still a chance the Rams could reclaim that No. 9 spot. If the Bengals - currently sitting just ahead of the Falcons in the order - manage to pull off a win against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, their record would improve to 5-9, the same as Atlanta’s. But because Cincinnati has a tougher strength of schedule, they’d leapfrog Atlanta in the draft order, pushing the Falcons’ pick (and thus the Rams') back up a notch.
The good news for L.A.? That pick isn’t falling out of the top 10, no matter what happens. So while Thursday night’s result wasn’t ideal, it’s hardly a disaster.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture: the Rams also hold their own first-round pick in 2026. For a franchise that once became the poster child for mortgaging the future in pursuit of a title - remember the “F them picks” era? - they’re suddenly sitting on a pair of first-rounders. That’s a rare luxury for a team that looks like it could be in the Super Bowl conversation this season.
So while the Rams’ front office probably wasn’t thrilled watching the Falcons pull off a win, they’re still in a strong position. Two first-round picks, a contending roster, and the kind of flexibility most teams would kill for? That’s a front office win - even if it came with a minor Thursday night setback.