Rams set to snap seven-year streak without first-round selection

Long after the pomp and circumstance of the 2024 NFL Draft‘s No. 1 overall pick has subsided, the Los Angeles Rams will make some history.

Slotted with the No. 19 overall pick, the Rams are slated to make a first-round selection for the first time since 2016. Should Los Angeles hold on to its first-rounder and make the pick April 25 in Detroit, it will snap the second-longest streak without an opening-round selection in the common draft era (since 1967), per NFL Research.

As they approach the ’24 draft, the Rams have matched Washington’s record (1984-1990) of not making a first round pick for seven years. The longest streak in NFL history, however, belongs to the Washington franchise who did not make a first round pick for 11 consecutive drafts from 1969-1979.

Setting history aside, the Rams are highlighting a shift in the franchise’s roster construction.

The days when general manager Les Snead disregarded picks are over. Incredibly, head coach Sean McVay is about to make his first opening-round pick in his head coaching career.

McVay, who has been to (two) and won (one) more Super Bowls than he’s made first-round choices, came on board ahead of the 2017 season, a year after quarterback Jared Goff was selected No. 1 overall by the Rams — standing as the franchise’s last opening-round selection.

Snead and the Rams’ approach of trading away first-rounders proved fruitful with the club’s Super Bowl LVI triumph. However, L.A. left the league hierarchy the ensuing season with a dismal 5-12 2022 showing thanks in large part to injuries to stalwarts Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and others.

Last year, the Rams rebounded with a 10-7 season and secured a wild-card playoff berth.

It was buoyed by a league-high 14 draft picks in 2023, a number that’s tied for the second-most in a single year since the draft went to the seven-round format in 1994, per NFL Research. Despite being without a first-rounder, it was a bountiful Day 2 and 3 for Los Angeles, which produced offensive lineman Steve Avila, linebacker Byron Young, defensive tackle Kobie Turnerand wide receiver Puka Nacua, among others.

This year, the Rams’ No. 19 pick is the first of 11 currently, which is tied for the most in the league with the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.

The foundational elements were established last season and, for the first time since 2016, are set to continue construction with an upcoming historic first-round selection.