The Atlanta Falcons had a big first round in April, drafting two of the most physical pass rushers available. They're coming off a season where they struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Head coach Raheem Morris grew tired of being grilled about the team’s lack of pass rush, which led to an offseason focused on addressing that weakness.
“Raheem Morris says he was tired of getting grilled for the lack of a pass rush for the Falcons, and they were intentional about fixing that this offseason,” Falcons staff writer Will McFadden wrote. "That's got to change, and the only way to change that is to change that."
Going into the draft, Atlanta held only one first-round pick—until they made a move. The Falcons traded with the Rams to acquire an additional first-rounder, which they used to select James Pearce Jr. Though talented, the move raised some eyebrows.
“This isn't about the player; it's about the price the Falcons paid to move up for him. Atlanta needed edge rush help and already got some earlier in the round with Jalon Walker. Trading next year's first-round pick to get Pearce felt like a massive overpay,” said ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The cost to move up was a 2026 first-round pick. That decision could become even more significant, given that Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford came into training camp injured. Whether he'll be ready for Week 1 remains uncertain. With Stafford aging, Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante projects that the Rams could use Atlanta’s traded pick to draft quarterback Lanorris Sellers in the first round.
“Matthew Stafford is still playing at a high level, but he’s 37 years old. The Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks in 2026, and it might be a good idea for them to invest in Stafford’s eventual successor at quarterback with one of them,” Infante wrote. “Sellers is strong-armed, athletic, tough to sack, and more accurate than he gets credit for.”
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Sellers is drawing major hype heading into this season at South Carolina. If he delivers a breakout year, the Rams could be an ideal fit. With Stafford aging and injuries mounting, Sellers may be asked to take over as early as his second or third year.