ESPN Insider Dan Graziano reports that the L.A. Rams are making inquiries about trading up in the draft.
Notably, Graziano states that the Rams are doing so to reel in top-tier defensive talent, potentially Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner or Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell, neither of whom are expected to remain available until the Rams’ allotted pick at No. 19 comes up.
L.A. Rams GM Les Snead Has Frequently Traded Down
As reported by The Sporting News, Rams GM Les Snead has been extremely active in trading draft picks during his tenure with the team. Since 2012, he “has made a whopping 32 draft trades (excluding player trades), moving up 11 times and down 21 times.”
Snead is widely regarded as one of the best GMs in the NFL. NFL.com recently rated him as the second-best, of all general managers in the league.
And, Snead has made clear that he is keeping options open going into the draft — trading up, trading back, or staying pat.
Rams GM Les Snead reiterates all 3 options are on the table for the 19th overall pick, in terms of trading up, trading back or making the pick.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) April 23, 2024
Graziano’s Intel Is that the Rams Are Looking to Move Up to Acquire a Defensive Star
Graziano’s reporting is that the Rams are one of several teams with picks in the bottom half of the first round that are looking to move up:
“The people I talk to think we’re likely to see more trades in the second half of the first round than in the first half. The Colts (No. 15), Jaguars (No. 17), Rams (No. 19), and Eagles (No. 22) are all teams I’ve heard have been making calls about potentially moving up.”
Furthermore, Graziano states, “If the Rams move up, it would be to get one of their top targets on defense”.
The Sporting News Disagrees With Graziano, Believing a Trade-Up by the Rams Would Be to Acquire a Top Offensive Star
The Sporting News cannot envision the Rams moving up substantially for any purpose other than to acquire a standout on the offensive side “whether it be Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, or LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers.”
In the past, the Rams standard practice has been to make significant investments and expenditures on the offensive side, while investing and spending more conservatively on the defensive side. Acknowledging that the recent retirement of Aaron Donald could justify a shift in that approach, The Sporting News nevertheless believes the Rams will go with offense if they move up.
Of course, that begs the question, what teams would the Rams trade with if they decide to move up for an offensive player?
Per The Sporting News:
“Keep an eye on the Atlanta Falcons, Les Snead’s former employer, at #8 overall. The Denver Broncos at #12 overall also seem interested in a move down to recoup some lost draft capital as well.
We will not have to wait long to find out. The draft will commence in just a few hours!
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