Draft Day Trades

[pmil66]

Moving Tavon for a draft pick would make some sense, give Cooper/Thomas/Reynolds his projected touches. Also would save a bit of cap space, up against the cap currently.

Westbrooks is another, have Easley back, Fox is back, Smart is better at end than NT. Would save about 2 million off the cap, pick up a low draft pick. His contract is up at the end of the year.

Mannion is another, contract is up, have Allen back, if another team would give a draft pick, use that pick to draft his replacement..

 

[TSFH Fan]

2018 Los Angeles Rams Draft: Snead be Slanging
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2018/...raft-los-angeles-rams-les-snead-trade-history
The Rams GM has built a legendary reputation to trade any and everything.
By BMule Apr 3, 2018, 11:00am CDT

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve hit the month of April which means the NFL Draft is inching closer for the Los Angeles Rams and the rest of the league. Mock Drafts are everywhere and everybody fancies themselves as top talent evaluators and Madden Franchise owners. One man who treats the draft, and most recently his actual roster, sort of like a video game is Rams GM Les Snead.

As MMQB’s Peter King puts it, “Snead has never met a trade he didn’t like”. Since 2018 Snead has found himself trading players more than ever but he originally earned his gunslinging ways with draft picks. If you’ve ever wondered just how much, or even how, Snead trades picks during (or weeks before) the actual draft, I’ve got you covered in preparation for the 2018 NFL Draft, Snead’s 7th as GM.

First let me acknowledge that the amount of times Snead and the Rams have executed some sort of trade since 2012 is a little overwhelming to keep track of. So I’m focused on the instances that involve a draft pick for draft pick. Specifically, the instances where Snead and the Rams (no one has the smoking gun on who did what prior to 2017) maneuvered up or down in the draft from their draft slot.

For the sake of clarity, I’m not going to count picks acquired for other year’s drafts (ex. the RG3 trade’s bounty) or include the entire trade details. Since 2012 the Rams have moved up or down a total of 13 times. Listed with the Rams’ original pick first to where they actually picked, here we go:

2012

• 2nd to 6th overall
• 6th to 14th
• 45th to 50th

Otherwise known as the RG3 trade, the Rams moved down from 2nd overall before the 2012 draft even began to collect a bounty of picks. Once the clock started ticking, the Rams then moved down once more from 6th overall after a trade with Dallas that gave them DT Michael Brockers at pick 14. In the 2nd round, the Rams swapped picks with Chicago and moved down a 3rd time to pick 50, resulting in RB Isaiah Pead.

2013

• 16th to 8th overall
• 22nd to 30th
• 184th to 160th

2013 saw three more draft day trades led off by a trade with Buffalo to move up for WR Tavon Austin. Later in the 1st round the Rams moved down with Atlanta to then select LB Alec Ogletree. Finally, the Rams made another jump up to get back into the 5th round for RB Zac Stacy.

2014

• 44th to 41st overall

Only one trade this year. The Rams moved up three spots to get ahead of Tennessee for S Lamarcus Joyner when they traded with Buffalo once again.

2015

• 41st to 57th overall

Two years in a row and Snead makes just one trade. He’s losing his touch. The Rams biggest trade down to date, they traded places with Carolina and then selected T Rob Havenstein with the 57th pick.

2016

• 15th to 1st overall
• 113th to 117th

This one was the shocker. Weeks ahead of the draft, Fisher and Snead made a huge jump up to Tennessee’s 1st overall pick in order to select QB Jared Goff. Looks a lot better now with someone out of the picture. Strapped for picks, the Rams later made a small trade back in the 4th with Chicago and then selected WR Pharoh Cooper.

2017

• 37th to 44th overall
• 112th to 117th
• 141st to 125th

The Rams yet again found a trade partner in Buffalo and traded back in the 2nd round to eventually take TE Gerald Everett. And in an almost identical scenario to 2016, Snead traded with Chicago to move down to 117 in the 4th round and take WR Josh Reynolds. Finally, the Rams stayed busy in the 4th by moving up to select LB Samson Ebukam after a trade with the New York Jets.

So there you have it.

Snead and the Rams have been more apt to trade down (8) than trade up (5). The 1st and 2nd round seems to be Snead’s hot zones, as evidenced by four 1st and four 2nd round trades, but the Rams are without a 2nd round pick in 2018. And while there has been 13 total trades, it’s only resulted in 12 picked players in those same years. Of those 12 players, only four play defense (Brockers, Ogletree, Joyner, and Ebukam), all of which have had or are expected to have major impact roles.

If you’re a believer in historical trends, then the odds would favor a trade down at some point for an offensive player but this is a much different team and set of circumstances. The Rams roster is in the best shape its ever been since the GSOT days so the team might not be so inclined to trade down to acquire more draft capital to try and form an actual NFL Offense (shout out to Jeff Fisher’s dog).

There’s been some sort of move in every draft since 2012 and there’s no reason to think that will change this year. Finally supported by a strong roster, that he unquestionably built, Snead won’t find himself pressured and on the ropes this year like in year’s past. And that should make for one of the most exciting NFL Drafts for Rams fans since the draft was all we had to look forward to.

 

[Mackeyser]

Moving Tavon for a draft pick would make some sense, give Cooper/Thomas/Reynolds his projected touches. Also would save a bit of cap space, up against the cap currently.

Westbrooks is another, have Easley back, Fox is back, Smart is better at end than NT. Would save about 2 million off the cap, pick up a low draft pick. His contract is up at the end of the year.

Mannion is another, contract is up, have Allen back, if another team would give a draft pick, use that pick to draft his replacement..

No it wouldn't.

Tavon Austin is essentially free in that his dead money and cap hit are basically the same. He restructured in such a way (his agent was pretty smart in this regard) so that the Rams take the same hit if he stays or goes.

This gives Tavon another year in the system and without his injured wrist which prevented him from participating when it mattered.

Other than our top guys like our newly acquired guys and Goff, Hekker, Gurley, Woods, Kupp, etc, Tavon Austin is about the least likely to be shipped out.

 

[Akrasian]

Moving Tavon for a draft pick would make some sense, give Cooper/Thomas/Reynolds his projected touches. Also would save a bit of cap space, up against the cap currently.

As Mackeyser pointed out, there is zero cap savings trading him. Also, he did the Rams a favor by renegotiating so he was only guaranteed the money he was already guaranteed, and only got more if he was productive. He could have done nothing and had the Rams cut him, still get paid the $5 million, and then sign a contract with another team. But he chose to at least give the Rams a chance of getting their money's worth.

Now, if in training camp it becomes obvious that he won't make the team, then he can be cut or traded. But right now trading him would show players and agents that they should not do the Rams any favors.

 

[pmil66]

No it wouldn't.

Tavon Austin is essentially free in that his dead money and cap hit are basically the same. He restructured in such a way (his agent was pretty smart in this regard) so that the Rams take the same hit if he stays or goes.

This gives Tavon another year in the system and without his injured wrist which prevented him from participating when it mattered.

Other than our top guys like our newly acquired guys and Goff, Hekker, Gurley, Woods, Kupp, etc, Tavon Austin is about the least likely to be shipped out.

No it wouldn't.

7 million is his cap number now, 5 million of dead money if he is moved. A bit of savings. Not as confident in a healthy Tavon as you seem to be.

 

[Mackeyser]

The $7M cap number was before he renegotiated.

Now, he's basically free in that we have to account for his cap number here or not.

 

[Ramhusker]

The $7M cap number was before he renegotiated.

Now, he's basically free in that we have to account for his cap number here or not.

Yeah, I think Tavon is a Ram in 2018. It's been arranged.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It would take about 250 points in trade value to move our 3rd round pick into the middle of the second round (using the standard nfl draft trade value chart). If you were a gm for another team who would you want from the Rams (with the 87th pick) to make a swap? I think it would have to be a starting grade player who is still on a rookie contract. AD, Goff and Gurley aside (for obvious reasons) leaves a handful of players. Dont want to lose an OL (JB or RH) because we would just have to use the pick to replace him. That leaves kupp, pharoah, jj3, higbee, everret, troy hill, or westbrooks. The only one that wouldn't leave a glaring hole is pharoah or troy hill. Pharoah is probably worth 200-250. Troy Hill is probably 150-200. I guess kupp somewhat replaceable with our WR depth. He's probably worth 300 points. Any of those possibilities look appetizing?

Kupp replaceable?!? Sacrilege! How dare you make such a suggestion?

 

[shaunpinney]

What draft capital do we have left to use?

This right here ^^^

We don't have any 'luxuries' left on our roster that will give us much in return except for a hole to fill on the roster. Unlike others on ROD - I don't see Tavon going anywhere this year.

 

[shaunpinney]

It would take about 250 points in trade value to move our 3rd round pick into the middle of the second round (using the standard nfl draft trade value chart). If you were a gm for another team who would you want from the Rams (with the 87th pick) to make a swap? I think it would have to be a starting grade player who is still on a rookie contract. AD, Goff and Gurley aside (for obvious reasons) leaves a handful of players. Dont want to lose an OL (JB or RH) because we would just have to use the pick to replace him. That leaves kupp, pharoah, jj3, higbee, everret, troy hill, or westbrooks. The only one that wouldn't leave a glaring hole is pharoah or troy hill. Pharoah is probably worth 200-250. Troy Hill is probably 150-200. I guess kupp somewhat replaceable with our WR depth. He's probably worth 300 points. Any of those possibilities look appetizing?

Kupp isn'r replaceable with our WR depth, and if I'm honest there isn't much in the draft that I'd take in his place. This guy is going to skyrocket this year...

 

[Malibu]

2018 Los Angeles Rams Draft: Snead be Slanging
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2018/...raft-los-angeles-rams-les-snead-trade-history
The Rams GM has built a legendary reputation to trade any and everything.
By BMule Apr 3, 2018, 11:00am CDT

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve hit the month of April which means the NFL Draft is inching closer for the Los Angeles Rams and the rest of the league. Mock Drafts are everywhere and everybody fancies themselves as top talent evaluators and Madden Franchise owners. One man who treats the draft, and most recently his actual roster, sort of like a video game is Rams GM Les Snead.

As MMQB’s Peter King puts it, “Snead has never met a trade he didn’t like”. Since 2018 Snead has found himself trading players more than ever but he originally earned his gunslinging ways with draft picks. If you’ve ever wondered just how much, or even how, Snead trades picks during (or weeks before) the actual draft, I’ve got you covered in preparation for the 2018 NFL Draft, Snead’s 7th as GM.

First let me acknowledge that the amount of times Snead and the Rams have executed some sort of trade since 2012 is a little overwhelming to keep track of. So I’m focused on the instances that involve a draft pick for draft pick. Specifically, the instances where Snead and the Rams (no one has the smoking gun on who did what prior to 2017) maneuvered up or down in the draft from their draft slot.

For the sake of clarity, I’m not going to count picks acquired for other year’s drafts (ex. the RG3 trade’s bounty) or include the entire trade details. Since 2012 the Rams have moved up or down a total of 13 times. Listed with the Rams’ original pick first to where they actually picked, here we go:

2012

• 2nd to 6th overall
• 6th to 14th
• 45th to 50th

Otherwise known as the RG3 trade, the Rams moved down from 2nd overall before the 2012 draft even began to collect a bounty of picks. Once the clock started ticking, the Rams then moved down once more from 6th overall after a trade with Dallas that gave them DT Michael Brockers at pick 14. In the 2nd round, the Rams swapped picks with Chicago and moved down a 3rd time to pick 50, resulting in RB Isaiah Pead.

2013

• 16th to 8th overall
• 22nd to 30th
• 184th to 160th

2013 saw three more draft day trades led off by a trade with Buffalo to move up for WR Tavon Austin. Later in the 1st round the Rams moved down with Atlanta to then select LB Alec Ogletree. Finally, the Rams made another jump up to get back into the 5th round for RB Zac Stacy.

2014

• 44th to 41st overall

Only one trade this year. The Rams moved up three spots to get ahead of Tennessee for S Lamarcus Joyner when they traded with Buffalo once again.

2015

• 41st to 57th overall

Two years in a row and Snead makes just one trade. He’s losing his touch. The Rams biggest trade down to date, they traded places with Carolina and then selected T Rob Havenstein with the 57th pick.

2016

• 15th to 1st overall
• 113th to 117th

This one was the shocker. Weeks ahead of the draft, Fisher and Snead made a huge jump up to Tennessee’s 1st overall pick in order to select QB Jared Goff. Looks a lot better now with someone out of the picture. Strapped for picks, the Rams later made a small trade back in the 4th with Chicago and then selected WR Pharoh Cooper.

2017

• 37th to 44th overall
• 112th to 117th
• 141st to 125th

The Rams yet again found a trade partner in Buffalo and traded back in the 2nd round to eventually take TE Gerald Everett. And in an almost identical scenario to 2016, Snead traded with Chicago to move down to 117 in the 4th round and take WR Josh Reynolds. Finally, the Rams stayed busy in the 4th by moving up to select LB Samson Ebukam after a trade with the New York Jets.

So there you have it.

Snead and the Rams have been more apt to trade down (8) than trade up (5). The 1st and 2nd round seems to be Snead’s hot zones, as evidenced by four 1st and four 2nd round trades, but the Rams are without a 2nd round pick in 2018. And while there has been 13 total trades, it’s only resulted in 12 picked players in those same years. Of those 12 players, only four play defense (Brockers, Ogletree, Joyner, and Ebukam), all of which have had or are expected to have major impact roles.

If you’re a believer in historical trends, then the odds would favor a trade down at some point for an offensive player but this is a much different team and set of circumstances. The Rams roster is in the best shape its ever been since the GSOT days so the team might not be so inclined to trade down to acquire more draft capital to try and form an actual NFL Offense (shout out to Jeff Fisher’s dog).

There’s been some sort of move in every draft since 2012 and there’s no reason to think that will change this year. Finally supported by a strong roster, that he unquestionably built, Snead won’t find himself pressured and on the ropes this year like in year’s past. And that should make for one of the most exciting NFL Drafts for Rams fans since the draft was all we had to look forward to.

Nice job reminding us of the all the past Snead moves. End result mixed results. Goff the home run, Brokers, Joyner good picks Tavon, Pead not so good.

When you watch all the draft shows and read all the draft literature you think everyone is going to be a home run, but it is never the case. Crazy how that happens when you have scouts spending so much time watching games and reviewing tape.

Honestly I like this year's mantra get proven players. The risk is minimalized and basically you are trading a pick for more certainty ie first for Cooks a second for Peters (plus a little extra compensation). To me that is worth it. Zero learning curve, we know what the player will do on and off the field. Essentially you take the guess work out of the pick.