Rams' McVay, Snead Detail Aggressive Draft Strategy

The Los Angeles Rams approached the 2025 NFL Draft with a proactive and aggressive strategy, trading down in the first round to acquire a 2026 first-round pick and then trading up multiple times to secure players they highly valued. Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead explained that their approach was influenced by both the depth of their current roster and a perceived lack of talent late in the draft. The team ultimately made only six selections—fewer than in any previous draft under McVay—targeting specific positions such as running back, defensive line, and inside linebacker by trading up for players like Jarquez Hunter, Ty Hamilton, and Chris Paul Jr. McVay expressed satisfaction with the draft outcome, highlighting the competitive culture and the contribution of undrafted free agents in previous seasons. The Rams' willingness to sacrifice later picks reflected their belief that fewer, high-impact additions would better suit their roster needs. This draft marks a shift from the Rams' recent pattern of accumulating large numbers of picks, focusing instead on quality and fit over quantity.