The Rams have been back in Los Angeles for a little more than six years, and they’re prospering as Hollywood trend-setters.
For example, before it was fashionable, they were sitting out the first round of the NFL draft.
For the sixth year in a row, the reigning Super Bowl winners will not make a first-round choice when the NFL’s best prospects meet in Las Vegas, barring a dramatic deal. The Rams aren’t expected to make a decision until nearing the end of the third round, thanks to two huge trades to obtain the seasoned players that helped them win the Super Bowl.
With a giggle, general manager Les Snead added, “It definitely makes Thursday evenings not at all hectic.”
In recent years, Snead and his front staff have been the league’s most proactive in terms of using draft money to acquire solid, proven assets. Their current first-round selection was traded to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford, while their second- and third-round picks were traded to Denver in exchange for Von Miller’s half-season rental.
The value of such deals was highlighted by the Rams’ championship run last season, and the rest of the NFL has taken notice. This month, a record eight clubs do not have a first-round selection, with most following the Rams’ example and utilizing their draft cash to acquire someone more certain than a potential.
Last season, Los Angeles broke through with a talent basis based on this core philosophy. Snead’s success in the latter rounds, where he has identified a big number of coach Sean McVay’s starters in recent years, aided the Rams’ star-studded success.
The Rams’ once-abnormal plan is paying off, and Snead has showed no signs of altering it — which is great, considering they won’t have a first-round selection next season either.
SLIM CHOICES
The Rams will have eight selections after arriving late to the draft on Friday night, only three before the sixth round. Los Angeles is expected to take the 104th overall selection. Before then, every other club has at least one selection, and some teams have several picks. Los Angeles’ eight choices are all compensatory picks for roster losses, and just three of them are in the top 210 overall picks.
HIDDEN JEWELRY
Given their current draft position, Snead will need to make a fantastic selection to secure an instant contributor for the 2022 club. The Rams, on the other hand, aren’t known for their rookie contributors: Last season’s team received no substantial aid from any of the 2021 draft selections during the regular season, with the exception of linebacker Ernest Jones and cornerback Robert Rochell, both of whom were later injured. Over the last four drafts, Snead has uncovered seven players in the fifth, sixth, or seventh rounds who have gone on to be key contributors, including defensive starters Sebastian Joseph-Day and Jordan Fuller.
NEEDS
With such low choices, the Rams can’t pinpoint particular needs, but they definitely need depth in the secondary after getting through last season with a lackluster bunch of defensive backs around Jalen Ramsey before losing starting cornerback Darious Williams to free agency last month. A quality offensive lineman might be a candidate for Austin Corbett’s starting right guard post. After wasting three of their top selections in the last two years on skill-position players, the Rams have shown that they can never have enough offensive talent. They’ve also taken a running back in each of the last four rounds.
DELIVERY ON AN EXTRAORDINARY BASIS
The Rams won’t be able to pick sure-fire starters, but they can certainly improve their special teams. Kick coverage units often use mid-round draft selections, and the Rams have been successful in recruiting versatile athletes who can play many positions in such units. Los Angeles may potentially spend a late-round selection on a punter to compete with veteran signee Riley Dixon for the job of replacing Johnny Hekker, who was dismissed after a decade with the Rams due to a cost-cutting move.
LARGE LIVING
The Rams are conducting their team-building work outside of the workplace for the second consecutive season. They’re relocating to a ” Draft House,” a high-end residence that highlights the greatest aspects of living in Southern California. This season’s estate is perched atop the Hollywood Hills with lavish views of the Rams’ beautiful hometown — air quality permitting, of course. Last season’s house was in Malibu with a view of the ocean, and this season’s estate is perched atop the Hollywood Hills with lavish views of the Rams’ beautiful hometown.