LSU CB Mansoor Delane projected as top corner in 2026 NFL mock drafts
LSU's Mansoor Delane is the top cornerback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Rams are poised to make aggressive trades in the 2026 NFL Draft, driven by the urgency of Matthew Stafford's potential final season. Their recent trade with the Kansas City Chiefs highlights their commitment to an all-in strategy.
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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.
"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."
The Rams are likely to be aggressive in the 2026 NFL Draft due to the urgency surrounding Matthew Stafford's potential last season.
The Rams have already traded a first-round pick and a 2027 third-rounder to the Kansas City Chiefs for Trent McDuffie.
Nate Scheelhaase is mentioned as a key figure influencing the Rams' aggressive trade strategy for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Matthew Stafford's potential final year could lead the Rams to prioritize immediate success, influencing their draft decisions and trades.
LSU's Mansoor Delane is the top cornerback prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
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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.
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.