- Cap space ranking: No. 7 | Draft capital ranking: No. 4 | Average: 5.5
- Team needs: CB, QB, OT, S, LB
The Rams’ appearance this list should bring nightmares to the rest of the NFL. Not only are they 11-3 and in possession of the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but they also rank in the top seven in both projected cap space and draft capital for 2026. Crucial to their good fortune is the extra first-round pick they snagged from the Falcons as part of Atlanta’s trade up to take James Pearce Jr. last April. It’s an unfamiliar situation for the Rams to be in, given they’ve only made one first-round selection in the last nine drafts. That pick is currently sitting 10th overall, with the Falcons carrying a 5-9 record — and regardless of what happens the rest of the way, Sean McVay’s crew will be well-positioned to ensure Atlanta finishes no better than 7-10, given that the two teams play each other in Week 17.
Making this opportunity even sweeter for the Rams is that almost all of their key offensive and defensive pieces are already locked up for 2026 and beyond. Many of them are on affordable rookie contracts, which is a reflection of how well the organization has drafted over the past few years — and also explains how a team that’s so good right now has such flexibility in the near future. Right tackle Rob Havenstein and starting DBs Cobie Durant, Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake will be free agents, but otherwise, L.A. can use its cap space (projected to be over $92 million) to upgrade an already loaded roster.
The wild card is the possibility that 37-year-old Matthew Stafford might decide to call it quits following this season. Even so, the Rams’ two first-round picks would give them enough ammo to target a quarterback via trade, and their cap space (which would increase if he retired) would allow them to entice a veteran quarterback with a new top-of-the-market contract. Most teams fall off after a star quarterback moves on, but the Rams are set up well to be the exception. Watch out for them in March