Typically, an NFL franchise will only trade a future first-round pick to jump up into the top of the NFL draft, often to take a quarterback or another game-changing talent. The Jacksonville Jaguars did just that to move up to No. 2 to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. Hours later, the Atlanta Falcons did the same thing in a much more unconventional move to take Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 pick.
Atlanta sent the Los Angeles Rams their second-round pick (No. 46) and a seventh-rounder in this year's draft, as well as their 2026 first-rounder, a pick that could hold exceptional value if Atlanta struggles again this fall. In return, they received the pick to take Pearce Jr. as well as a Rams third-rounder.
