WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is now finished. Free agency is just a week away and in less than two months, college prospects will be walking across the draft stage in their new teams' colors. While most players are relaxing and resetting, Rams general manager Les Snead and his team are preparing to build a Super Bowl contender.

The free agency negotiation period begins at 9 a.m. pacific time next Monday, March 9, and the new league year starts at 1 p.m. pacific time on Wednesday, March 11. The draft begins on April 23.

In a video conference on Tuesday, Snead spoke about the Rams' offseason team-building philosophies, candidates for contract extension and restructures, how they view their first-round picks and more. Here are the top takeaways from the press conference.

Pending free agents

Cornerbacks Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Roger McCreary and Derion Kendrick will all all set to hit the free agent market next week, leaving the Rams with just three corners on their active roster. Earlier this offseason, Snead said they would be addressing that position group. When asked if they have interest in bringing any of those four players back, he said they are "working through those scenarios," but are letting those players explore the market.

"That way, they get a feel for what their market is," he said. "It's not a subjective, speculative market at that point."

After head coach Sean McVay said the Rams "love" safety Kam Curl in his press conference, Snead was asked whether the extension they gave safety Quentin Lake during the 2025 season would affect their willingness to try and retain Curl. He said that wouldn't be a factor because their roles were so different, with Lake playing star and Curl manning the versatile strong safety position. A reunion with Curl is still very much in play.

Snead added that this is the time of year where teams, the Rams included, are most likely to explore trades.

Using free agency to not be "desperate" in the draft

When asked about addressing positional needs in free agency versus the draft, Snead was clear on the team's approach.

"Our macro philosophy is, if we can use free agency to not be desperate in the draft, we more than likely will be better drafters," he said, "because we're not reaching, we're not desperate. We're not going in there with a major void major hole that has to be filled."

Snead added that they always identify players they want in the draft, and some are at positions of need, but they are never guaranteed to be available when the Rams pick. They want to be able to "pencil in a starting lineup" before the draft starts, and then take the best players available who fit the Rams' culture and scheme to improve the team from there.

So, even if they don't have a need at a specific position, having "another quality player that gives you an edge" in a rotational role, as a depth piece or as internal competition for the starter is inherently valuable. Snead prefers that to reaching for a need.

"There is a possibility, if you reach for a need when it's all said and done, you still have a need, but you used a draft pick on it," Snead said.

Contract extension/restructure candidates

With quarterback Matthew Stafford set to return for his 18th NFL season, the Rams' front office has engaged in conversations with Stafford and his team surrounding his contract. Snead said that relationship is in a "stable" condition and they are taking it "year-by-year." He added that an adjustment and an extension are both possibilities, as Stafford's contract expires at the end of the 2026 season.

The Rams have not had conversations with wide receiver Davante Adams' representatives regarding a restructure, Snead said, as he is under contract for the 2026 season.

There are multiple key starters from the 2023 draft class who are now eligible for extensions, namely wide receiver Puka Nacua, offensive lineman Steve Avila, defensive end Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Byron Young. Snead said their process has always been to deal with the pending free agents first before turning their attention to extension candidates. He didn't say which players they plan to approach with extension talks, but made it clear that their current priority is the players who will hit the open market on March 11.

He added that offensive lineman Kevin Dotson is someone they'd be interested in pursuing a long-term partnership with. Still, he lies under the same umbrella as those from the 2023 draft class as players currently under contract, so that isn't a top priority right now.

Will first-round picks be used for now or the future?

With two first-round picks, will the Rams choose to load up for a Super Bowl run to maximize Stafford's remaining years or start planning for the future? Snead said both strategies are on the table.

"Whether it's the first rounders, whether it's the Day 2 (picks), whether it's future picks it's, hey, try to use them on a player that's going to give us an edge, make an impact," Snead said. "We like to call it an edge. What edge does that player give this version of the Rams?"

The Rams have a history of trading first-round picks, however, and when asked if the strength of future drafts may factor into their willingness to move back for future picks, Snead said "the sea shapes the boat," a classic Snead-ism. He knows that all drafts are different, but future picks are devalued. A fourth-round pick this year equals a third-round pick next year, he said, even if that draft were to be considered deeper than this one.

If that's the case, "that fourth round pick next year could actually be worth more than the fourth round pick this year," Snead said. The point being, there is "an element of random" to the draft, and nobody can predict the strength of each one, even as they are unfolding. Snead said he is open to swapping a pick for a proven player or a future draft pick.

Snead was sent a tweet recently that illustrated that reality well, and he explained its contents to the group: "Going into the combine, this was considered one of the least deep drafts in a long time," he said. "And two days into running 40s, there's 46 first rounders."

With free agency and the draft upcoming, Snead has not ruled anything out, but one thing is clear: They would like to use the draft to better an already competitive roster, not to complete a deficient one.