Rams can be aggressive with trades in 2026 NFL Draft for sneaky reason

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Rams can be aggressive with trades in 2026 NFL Draft for sneaky reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Rams are looking to go all-in this season, and it's not much of a surprise why. Matthew Stafford is back for what might be the last year of his career.

With the Rams already spending a first-round pick and a 2027 third-rounder on a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for Trent McDuffie, it's evident the Rams are all-in.

And in the 2026 NFL Draft, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones notes the Rams might be aggressive in trades thanks to a sneaky reason that's thanks to Nate Scheelhaase.

Rams have sneaky reason to be aggressive in NFL Draft trades​

"A source pointed out to me then that the Rams are not operating like they no longer have a third in next year's draft. they may even feel certain they will have one," Jones writes. "When Mike LaFleur left L.A. to become the Cardinals head coach, the Rams promoted Nate Scheelhaase to OC."

But why would Scheelhaase's promotion to offensive coordinator of the Rams mean the Rams could be more aggressive with their draft picks?

Well, as Jones pointed out, "Scheelhasae is widely considered to be at the top of the next-up list for head coach candidates - he nearly got a job this past cycle - and the Rams losing him would result in third-round picks in the following two drafts because he is mixed race."

More: Sean McVay reveals Rams did have Davante Adams trade talks this offseason

The Rams might be receiving compensatory picks from the NFL in the future if Scheelhaase is hired to be a head coach next offseason.

With the young Rams coach drawing interest this year, it would hardly be a surprise to see him become the leader of a team in 2027.

While the Rams aren't guaranteed to get those picks, two valuable third-rounders, they can, as Jones noted, "operate as though they are coming."

Teams do this all of the time with their third-round picks, or picks down the board when it comes to compensatory picks from losing players in free agency.

More: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq would be ideal fit for Rams in NFL Draft

And for the Rams, they will be able to land multiple third-rounders if Scheelhaase is hired in the future for a head coach job. That's very possible, as he's one of the hottest coaching candidates for next year's cycle.

Sean McVay and Les Snead likely know these picks are on the horizon, so they could act with more aggressiveness in trades during the NFL Draft or in the offseason, thanks to the picks they are likely to receive in the future.

It's a fascinating dynamic for the Rams' trade plans, and one to keep in mind during the 2026 NFL Draft as the Rams consider a trade or two to go all-in this season.

More Rams news:​

• Anthony Richardson would be perfect trade target for Rams to develop behind Matthew Stafford
• Puka Nacua, Byron Young, other 2023 draft picks expected to be extended by Rams
• Rams' most overpaid player is their $9.1 million TE highlighting GM masterclass
• Puka Nacua is major beneficiary of Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s $168.6M extension

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