How the Rams' Smart 2024 Draft Trade with Falcons Set Up Their Super Bowl Run

The Los Angeles Rams are in prime position for the 2025 NFL season, fresh off a trip to the NFC Championship Game in 2024 and now considered the betting favorites to win Super Bowl LIX. Their success is partly due to a strategic draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, which secured them the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Last year, the Rams executed a forward-thinking trade with the Falcons. They sent their own first- and third-round picks to Atlanta in exchange for the Falcons' second- and seventh-round picks, along with Atlanta’s 2026 first-round pick. The Falcons were desperate to land pass rusher James Pearce, and they were willing to part with their 2026 first-round selection to move up in the draft and secure him.

For the Rams, General Manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay made a calculated decision. They prioritized long-term roster building over immediate gains, knowing that the Falcons’ first-round pick in 2026 would give them an even stronger hand in the future. This approach underscored their confidence in sustained success, even as they passed on adding a player in the first round in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Falcons were under immense pressure. General Manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris were on the hot seat, facing a “win now or get fired” mandate. With no time to spare, they gambled their 2026 first-round pick for a chance to acquire Pearce—a move that ultimately backfired. Both Fontenot and Morris were fired at the end of the 2024 season, leaving the new Atlanta regime to rebuild without a first-round pick in 2025.

The fallout for the Falcons has been significant. James Pearce, who was the centerpiece of the trade, is not currently with the team. He faces legal charges stemming from alleged abuse of his ex-girlfriend, further complicating Atlanta’s draft strategy and roster decisions.

For the Rams, the trade has paid dividends. While they did use their own first-round pick in 2024 to select cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick ensures they retain high-value draft capital. Now, with the 13th pick in 2025, they have the flexibility to add another impact player. Whether they select a prospect at 13 or trade the pick for additional assets, the Super Bowl-favorite Rams are poised to get stronger.

The Rams’ long-term vision in last year’s draft is a testament to their ability to navigate a league designed for parity. By thinking several moves ahead, they’ve positioned themselves for sustained success, both in the short term and beyond.