Looking back at the Rams' usage of 1st-round picks under Sean McVay

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Since Sean McVay was hired in 2017, the Los Angeles Rams have only drafted one player in the first round. They've used first-round selections like no one else in the NFL, trading them away for proven players and also moving out of the top 32 picks altogether in an attempt to accumulate more selections.

The next-closest team has used six first-round picks since 2017, putting the Rams way behind everyone else in that department. This chart shows just how big of an outlier the Rams are in terms of first-round-pick usage over the last nine drafts.

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If the Rams aren't using their first-rounders, what are they doing with them? Here's a recap of all their moves involving first-round picks since 2017, from trades for superstars to moves outside the top 32 picks.

Most recently, the Rams traded the 29th overall pick for Trent McDuffie, while still keeping the 13th overall pick – which coincidentally was from another trade involving a first-round pick the year prior.

2016 + 2017: Traded up for Jared Goff

  • Rams trade: 2016 1st-round pick, two 2016 2nd-round picks, 2016 3rd-round pick, 2017 1st-round pick, 2017 3rd-round pick
  • Titans trade: No. 1 overall pick in 2016, 4th-round pick (2016), 6th-round pick (2016)

In the 2016 draft, the Rams moved up to No. 1 overall to select Goff out of Cal. It was before McVay got there, but the move cost the Rams their 2017 first-round pick, as well as a third-rounder that year.

2018: Traded for Brandin Cooks

  • Rams trade: 2018 1st-round pick, 2018 6th-round pick
  • Patriots trade: Brandin Cooks, 2018 4th-round pick

In McVay's second season as the Rams' head coach, Los Angeles took a big swing by trading its first-rounder for Cooks, bolstering an already strong receiving corps that featured Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

2019: Traded out of first round

  • Rams trade: No. 31 overall, No. 203 overall
  • Falcons trade: No. 45 overall, No. 79 overall

Just when it seemed like the Rams were going to use a first-round pick for the first time under McVay, they traded out of Day 1 altogether by moving back 14 spots in a deal with the Falcons.

2020 + 2021: Traded for Jalen Ramsey

  • Rams trade: 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 1st-round pick, 2021 4th-round pick
  • Jaguars trade: Jalen Ramsey

During the 2019 season, the Rams saw a need at cornerback, so they made a move for Ramsey before the trade deadline. The trade cost them two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder, but they acquired an All-Pro corner in Ramsey, which helped them win the Super Bowl two years later.

2022 + 2023: Traded for Matthew Stafford

  • Rams trade: 2022 1st-round pick, 2023 1st-round pick, 2021 3rd-round pick, Jared Goff
  • Lions trade: Matthew Stafford

This was one of the most impactful trades of the decade in the NFL. The Rams swapped Goff for Stafford, sending the Lions two first-round picks and a third-rounder, as well as Goff (and a whole bunch of dead money).

The Rams went on to win the Super Bowl in Stafford's first season, and in 2025, he won his first NFL MVP award.

2024: Drafted Jared Verse

Finally! After seven years of trading picks for players or moving out of the first round, the Rams decided to stand pat and actually use a first-rounder. And they undoubtedly hit on that selection, picking Verse at No. 19 overall. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 and already looks like one of the best young edge defenders in football.

2025: Traded out of first round

  • Rams trade: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 26), 2025 3rd-round pick (No. 101)
  • Falcons trade: 2025 2nd-round pick (No. 46), 2025 7th-round pick (No. 242), 2026 1st-round pick (No. 13)

Here we go again. Sitting at No. 26 overall, the Rams opted to move back 20 spots in a draft-day trade with the Falcons. In doing so, they picked up an extra first-round selection in 2026. They still have that pick, which is 13th overall, so we'll see if they wind up keeping it or trading it away.

2026: Traded for Trent McDuffie

  • Rams trade: 2026 1st-round pick, 2026 5th-round pick, 2026 6th-round pick, 2027 3rd-round pick
  • Chiefs trade: Trent McDuffie

The most recent trade involving a first-round pick solidified a clear need for Los Angeles, acquiring McDuffie from the Chiefs for No. 29 overall and more. The Rams managed to keep the 13th overall pick in this trade, but they did give up a future third-rounder to get it done.

Recap

2016: Traded for Goff

2017: Traded for Goff

2018: Traded for Cooks

2019: Traded out of 1st round (31st overall)

2020: Traded for Ramsey

2021: Traded for Ramsey

2022: Traded for Stafford

2023: Traded for Stafford

2024: Jared Verse

2025: Traded out of 1st round (26th overall)

2026: Traded for McDuffie

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams trade history: Every deal involving 1st-round picks since 2016

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