Les Snead stole OL Austin Corbett from Browns for a 5th-round pick

LA Rams: Les Snead stole OL Austin Corbett from Browns for a 5th-round pick

In LA Rams News: When GM Les Snead traded a future fifth-round pick to the Browns for Austin Corbett, he landed 3 starting IOL in return.

ramblinfan.com

Les Snead stole OL Austin Corbett from Browns for a 5th-round pick​

The LA Rams had every reason to panic during their 2019 NFL season after the offensive line was ravaged with injuries. In the heart of the epidemic, the LA Rams front office mobilized and began to add offensive linemen to the roster. One signing was Arizona Cardinals practice squad offensive lineman Coleman Shelton. That move helped reinforce the Rams thinning ranks at offensive center

Another move was trading a fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for interior offensive lineman Austin Corbett. At the time, Corbett was benched after a failed attempt to start for the Browns. He was drafted by the Browns with the 33rd pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure certainly applies in the case of Corbett. By his second season, Browns’ websites were declaring Corbett as the worst pick of the last 20 years.

It was that tone that placed Corbett at risk of being cut. So when the Rams sashayed in to offer a draft pick for the guy, it was interpreted by many as though the LA Rams were fleeced in a desperate attempt to thicken the offensive line depth chart. Well, that was the initial reaction, at least.

The tables turned rapidly

Almost as soon as the trade occurred, we liked the strategy. The Rams pulled a bench-warmer off the roster of the Cleveland Browns, helped the Browns’ salary cap a bit, and converted a 2021 fifth-round pick into a 2018 second-round drafted rookie. But it would have been all for naught if not for the direction and mentorship of LA Rams offensive line coach Aaron Kromer.

Corbett did not suit up as soon as he got off the plane. In fact, he was inactive against the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals. It was not until Brian Allen fell to a season-ending injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers that Corbett saw his first action with the LA Rams by taking over at right guard. He then shifted to the left guard the following week and remained in that role through the rest of the season. He converted to the right side for 2020 and played the entire season there.

Thankfully, the Rams got him quickly enough to ensure that he could realize his full upside. That upside has been realized for the most part. After playing left guard in 2019 and playing right guard in 2020, Corbett has established himself as a plug-n-play offensive lineman. Now, he gets to try his hand starting at the offensive center position for the LA Rams in 2021.

When the trade first occurred, many weighed in believing that the Browns had won that trade. It’s pretty clear that the Rams have gotten significant value out of that exchange. The Rams have enjoyed a starting left guard, right guard, and likely offensive center for the cost of one fifth-round pick. That’s not just a significant return on investment, it borders on outright theft.

 

[Memento]

I hope we re-sign Corbett before he gets far too expensive. He could be an elite center in this league, and he's only twenty-five.

 

[oldnotdead]

The Rams targeted Corbett in 2018 for the 4th Round. Corbett was taken at the top of round two so they took Allen with that pick. Its unclear if they targeted Corbett as an OG or C. The Rams took Noteboom in round 3 and the word was back in 2019 that the Rams had targeted both Allen and Corbett for the 4th round. The Rams grabbed Coleman Shelton off the Card's PS but he wasn't an unknown to them. He was also a targeted player in 2018. They apparently looked to fill the entire interior line with one draft.

That said I've liked Evans as an OG since they drafted him in 20129. Personally, I'd leave him at RG. Corbett proved himself at LG and I'd move him back which would free up Edwards to play RT where his good feet would be a good fit and he looks like a better fit than Havenstein. The only question is will they fall back on their original 2018 plan? The fact that they left this group intact and did not draft OL is interesting. Also interesting is how Whitworth was held out of OTAs.

I guess we will have to wait for TC but it's obvious to me that the Rams will make a change at both OT positions next year. By cap structure, Whit is basically guaranteed the start this year but not next. Havenstein simply isn't worth his cap charge and they have an out this year and next. It's only a matter of when they pull the trigger, this year or next.

 

[Allen2McVay]

The Rams targeted Corbett in 2018 for the 4th Round

Like you, I was not in any of the Rams 2018 Draft Strategy Meetings but I am still fairly certain that statement is not accurate.

My recollection is that Corbett was very well regarded in the weeks leading up to that Draft. After a productive college career, he impressed at the Senior Bowl and had a good Combine. Corbett’s anticipated position flexibility was viewed as another positive in his evaluation.

My memory is that Corbett entered that Draft with a high second round grade, with a greater likelihood he could get selected late in the first round than fall into the third … let alone being available in Round 4 at #111 where the Rams took Brian Allen.

The first pick of Round 2 / Day 2 is often viewed as an attractive pick to trade. Teams often see a player on whom they had a solid first round grade still available and try to move up. I recall reports that Cleveland had offers for that draft choice in 2018 but did not want to risk losing Corbett, and took him at #33 overall with the first pick that second day.

I don’t believe for a second the Rams thought Austin Corbett would be available at #111.

 

[snackdaddy]

The 33rd pick is about as close to a first round pick as you can get without being one. Its amazing how quickly the Browns gave up on him. Whatever the reason, we were pretty fortunate to get him for a late pick. Another nice job by Snead.

 

[RamFan503]

My memory is that Corbett entered that Draft with a high second round grade, with a greater likelihood he could get selected late in the first round than fall into the third … let alone being available in Round 4 at #111 where the Rams took Brian Allen.

This ^^^

Being here in Reno, and having lots of family that went to Reed HS and UNR, we were following this kid pretty closely.

My Reed HS cousins are Rams fans so they really wanted him in horns. They were stoked when the Rams were looking at Corbett. But we all knew unless they traded up, there was NO WAY he was going to last into the third round and certainly not late into it.

Corbett was projected as a late first, early 2nd. I have a hard time buying that the Rams brain trust had any fantasies of taking him in the 4th.

 

[den-the-coach]

I guess we will have to wait for TC but it's obvious to me that the Rams will make a change at both OT positions next year. By cap structure, Whit is basically guaranteed the start this year but not next. Havenstein simply isn't worth his cap charge and they have an out this year and next. It's only a matter of when they pull the trigger, this year or next.

Well, let's see how Chandler Brewer responds because he could be in play next season at RT. You're correct at Edwards having ability to play RT as he did that at Wisconsin, However, if he plays well at LG, they could leave him there because keeping some stability on both sides of the ball.

Now I believe the Rams with all those picks in 2022, could load up on Offensive Linemen and of course, we have to see how new OL Coaches Kevin Carberry and his assistant Nick Jones coach these guys as Aaron Kromer is gone and Andy Dickerson is now with Shane Waldron in Seattle.

 

[Corbin]

Wait Corbett is a steal now? I thought our experts said he was horrible? :alol:

 

[SuperMan28]

Trading a day 3 pick for a guy that comes in a plays well makes GM's look really good.

 

[ramfan46]

Snead made that move work. Similar to Mark Barron when the Rams traded for him. Sometimes a change of scenery and scheme is all it takes.

 

[Ram65]

Lot of ways to find talent outside the draft and Snead does a great job with the scouting department to find them. They are 24/7 looking to improve the roster.

 

[fanotodd]

The Rams targeted Corbett in 2018 for the 4th Round. Corbett was taken at the top of round two so they took Allen with that pick. Its unclear if they targeted Corbett as an OG or C. The Rams took Noteboom in round 3 and the word was back in 2019 that the Rams had targeted both Allen and Corbett for the 4th round. The Rams grabbed Coleman Shelton off the Card's PS but he wasn't an unknown to them. He was also a targeted player in 2018. They apparently looked to fill the entire interior line with one draft.

That said I've liked Evans as an OG since they drafted him in 20129. Personally, I'd leave him at RG. Corbett proved himself at LG and I'd move him back which would free up Edwards to play RT where his good feet would be a good fit and he looks like a better fit than Havenstein. The only question is will they fall back on their original 2018 plan? The fact that they left this group intact and did not draft OL is interesting. Also interesting is how Whitworth was held out of OTAs.

I guess we will have to wait for TC but it's obvious to me that the Rams will make a change at both OT positions next year. By cap structure, Whit is basically guaranteed the start this year but not next. Havenstein simply isn't worth his cap charge and they have an out this year and next. It's only a matter of when they pull the trigger, this year or next.

Two things I’m not on board with:
1) moving Edwards to Tackle. He stunk at Tackle in his rookie preseason games—he fared much better at Guard, IMO. Edwards has shined at Guard. He should just stay put. The “Noteboom at RG” experiment should be put to bed—and so should the idea of moving Edwards to LT.

2) you want to dump Havs? Do you know of a better run blocking RT? Yeah, he has had some trouble with a few good pass rushers, but who hasn’t? Havs is solid and isn’t costing the Rams any more than a solid starting RT should.

Should the Rams have the same idea as you though, why wouldn’t they just go back to Evans like they did in ‘19?

 

[TexasRam]

Two things I’m not on board with:
1) moving Edwards to Tackle. He stunk at Tackle in his rookie preseason games—he fared much better at Guard, IMO. Edwards has shined at Guard. He should just stay put. The “Noteboom at RG” experiment should be put to bed—and so should the idea of moving Edwards to LT.

2) you want to dump Havs? Do you know of a better run blocking RT? Yeah, he has had some trouble with a few good pass rushers, but who hasn’t? Havs is solid and isn’t costing the Rams any more than a solid starting RT should.

Should the Rams have the same idea as you though, why wouldn’t they just go back to Evans like they did in ‘19?

Totally agree.

 

[TexasRam]

For someone that is about as calculated as a wheel of fortune spin, I will even admit Snead made a great move with the Corbett deal.

It really was a no brainer since the Browns were benching the young top prospect and a trade was to be had.

But regardless, it takes a team to be on their toes about what is going on around the league and to pull off the slick deal that was relatively cheap.

This one is a plus in Snead's favor. Credit where credit is due.

 

[Soul Surfer]

The best way to predict what the offensive line, *may* look like next year is to look at the game-day actives this year.

Anchrum
Noteboom
Shelton
As I recall, were all gameday actives.
Add Brewer to that mix and we'll see who they re-sign.

Like I said, they're all in for THIS year and it's hard to predict what our line will look like next year at this juncture.