NFL Insiders Reportedly Eye Rams' Arch Manning Interest After Trade for 1st-Round Pick

Some NFL insiders believe Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead may have traded out of the 2025 first round in the hopes of drafting Arch Manning in 2026, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

"I had a bunch of people in football texting me after the Rams did that," Russini said Tuesday on the Scoop City podcast. "They're like, 'Arch, Arch. That's what Les is after.' But we'll see."

The Rams went into last weekend's draft with the No. 26 pick.

Snead traded that selection, alongside the No. 101 pick, to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the No. 46 and No. 242 picks of the 2025 draft in addition to a 2026 first-rounder.

The Falcons drafted at No. 15 in the 2025 first round after finishing 8-9 in a season split between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. under center.

The value of the 2026 first-rounder now owned by the Rams could hinge in large part on Penix, who is on track to start for the Falcons next season.

If Penix struggles, the Rams could be eyeing a higher selection in 2026. If the Falcons win more than eight games for the first time since 2017, however, the Rams could potentially consider using the first-rounder in order to trade up further in the 2026 draft.

With Matthew Stafford's contract being negotiated on a year-to-year basis, the Rams could have their eyes on Manning, who is on track to start for Texas next season after seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers joined the Miami Dolphins during the 2025 draft.

He will be eligible for the 2026 NFL draft but could still decide to wait until 2027, given that he only has two starts under his belt heading into next season.