With two first-round picks in their back pocket - including a top-10 selection courtesy of last year’s trade-back with Atlanta - the Los Angeles Rams are sitting in a position of power heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. And if recent buzz is any indication, they might be ready to use that leverage to make a franchise-defining move: trading up for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
This isn’t just draft season smoke. Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus floated the idea in his latest mock draft, projecting the Rams to move up via the New York Giants’ pick - currently sitting at No. 1 overall - to grab Mendoza. It’s a bold scenario, but one that starts to make a lot of sense when you connect the dots.
Why Mendoza Could Be the Rams’ Target
Let’s start with the quarterback himself. Mendoza has been one of the biggest risers in college football over the past two seasons.
After starting his career at Cal, he transferred to Indiana and immediately elevated the Hoosiers’ offense. In 2025, he threw for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just six interceptions - a stat line that speaks to both his production and efficiency.
Physically, he checks the boxes: 6-foot-5 with a strong arm, good pocket presence, and the kind of frame that can absorb NFL hits. But it’s more than just measurables.
Mendoza plays with poise, anticipation, and a calm under pressure that NFL evaluators love. He’s shown he can make timing throws, read defenses, and deliver with accuracy at all three levels - traits that translate well to a pro-style system.
Scouts have taken notice, with one report describing him as a quarterback who “throws with surgical precision between levels” and “navigates pressure like a downtown cabbie at rush hour.” That last part might sound like hyperbole, but anyone who’s watched him operate behind less-than-perfect protection knows it’s not far off.
The Rams’ Quarterback Reality
Now let’s look at the Rams’ side of the equation. Matthew Stafford is still capable of playing at a high level, but he’s also 37 and has dealt with his share of injuries. The clock is ticking - not in a panic-button way, but in a “let’s be proactive” kind of way.
With two first-round picks in 2026, the Rams have a rare chance to control their own future. They can either sit tight and add two quality players, or they can consolidate those picks and go get their next quarterback. If they believe Mendoza is that guy - and he’s playing like someone worthy of the No. 1 spot - then pulling the trigger makes sense.
Think about it: how often do contending teams have the ammo to move up for a top quarterback without completely mortgaging their future? That Atlanta trade last year is aging like fine wine, and it could be the key that unlocks the next era of Rams football.
Mendoza’s Unconventional Rise
Mendoza’s path to this point hasn’t been the typical five-star-to-franchise-QB pipeline. Coming out of Columbus High School in Miami, he was a two-star recruit who originally committed to Yale.
But a late scholarship offer from Cal changed everything. He redshirted his first year, earned the starting job, and threw for over 3,000 yards in 2024 despite playing behind a shaky offensive line.
Then came the transfer to Indiana, and that’s when things really took off. With a new system and better weapons, Mendoza’s game reached another level.
He didn’t just put up numbers - he made Indiana’s offense must-watch TV. His ability to adapt to a new environment and thrive speaks volumes about his football IQ and work ethic.
This isn’t just a quarterback with tools. This is a quarterback with tools and the mental makeup to grow into something special.
What This Move Would Signal for the Rams
If the Rams do decide to package both of their first-rounders to move up to No. 1, it would be a clear signal: they’re not interested in patchwork solutions at quarterback. They’re planning for the long haul.
It would mark a shift from the win-now mindset that brought them a Super Bowl with Stafford, toward a more sustainable model built around a young signal-caller. And in a draft class where proven, upper-tier quarterback talent is at a premium, moving up for Mendoza could be the kind of aggressive move that pays off for a decade.
Yes, it would be expensive. But if Mendoza becomes the player many believe he can be, the price won’t matter. The Rams would walk away with a potential franchise quarterback - and that’s the most valuable asset in the sport.
So keep an eye on Los Angeles as draft season heats up. With the right move, they might just be setting the table for their next great run.