I really doubt that Snead will trade up in the 1st round...

[Rams43]

Yeah, he might be kinda tempted if certain players are falling, but I think he will just let the 1st round come to him.

Here’s my thinking...

Rams don’t have any gaping holes with the possible exception of DL. That gives Snead enormous flexibility to select his perceived BPA for the Rams.

There will be terrific football players sitting there at #31. It’s inevitable. Snead can pick his favorite from among maybe 11 different positions. What a perfect situation for an excellent evaluator to find himself.

A trade up would not only cost Snead a precious premium pick, but it would also forfeit any possibility of a modest tradedown into the top of the 2nd while adding another 4th, maybe even a 3rd if the trade partner has fallen in love with a player that fell to #31 (and the 5th year option). That would be a double whammy to Snead, I imagine.

Many pundits have declared that there is a plateau from around pick 25-45, give or take. Meaning that evaluation-wise there is little difference among these 20 players. If true, then Snead would have a powerful incentive to agree to a modest tradedown.

Anybody doubting my “plateau” comment need look no further than a random selection of top 50-100 player rankings to see the wild variation in perceived value for numerous players. Bradbury and Winovich being two excellent examples. So it’s no stretch to say that perhaps the 32 GM’s might also have widely different opinions about the value of many different players for their 32 different teams.

More I think about it, the more convinced I am that Snead is NOT gonna trade up. He will be happy to stay at #31 or maybe even hope and pray for a tradedown offer that makes sense.

 

[nighttrain]

i would stake some ROD $ that we trade down from 31
train

 

[gabriel18]

I'm hoping the Pats are taking a QB at 32 , and someone ponies up to jump them at 31. Win Win

 

[LesBaker]

Yeah, he might be kinda tempted if certain players are falling, but I think he will just let the 1st round come to him.

I agree he is going to probably stay put. There is a chance, as you point out, that he makes a move but I agree it's more likely he'd rather trade down from 31. Getting a 2nd rounder or even two could be great.

If he had a chance to get a 2 and 3 then use two of the three 3rds to move up for a second pick in the 2nd round I can see that.

WOW try to say that five times fast hahaha.

 

[rams1fan]

If you look at who the Rams have had visits with they have looked at prospects that could drop that they would trade up for. That said I do not think those prospects drop enuff.

 

[dang]

Now that the Rams have their QB - I believe it will be quite some time before they trade up in the 1st round. I recall them trading up for Tavon Austin and that unfortunately didn't work out. Any others since Snead has been onboard (other than franchise QB Goff)?

 

[MadGoat]

Without any context, I'd say the chances of a trade up are remote.

In real time, on draft day, with players on the board, I'd say there's still a chance. In fact, I'd guess one of the most tempting players to move up for would be Jeffery Simmons. Snead could see his chance to land a potential all-pro with a late first and make his move.

 

[XXXIVwin]

If he had a chance to get a 2 and 3 then use two of the three 3rds to move up for a second pick in the 2nd round I can see that.

WOW try to say that five times fast hahaha.

According to my extensive (ahem) 'research' into my Lindy's draft guide, I notice that ALL ELEVEN of our 2018 draft picks were the result of a trade. Not a single pick was made in the Rams' original slot, I believe.

Given that, I expect to see some wheelin' and dealin' from Trader Les. Really think he's looking to trade down. I'd love to see your scenario where he parlays a one-three-three into a two-two-three.

 

[NERamsFan]

Without any context, I'd say the chances of a trade up are remote.

In real time, on draft day, with players on the board, I'd say there's still a chance. In fact, I'd guess one of the most tempting players to move up for would be Jeffery Simmons. Snead could see his chance to land a potential all-pro with a late first and make his move.

Agreed 1000%!! Simmons would be my preferred DL prospect followed by Lawrence. If Simmons is there, we’re stealing him off the board and focusing on a day 3 trade down with one of our thirds. However, if he’s not there then I could see a trade down into early second and maybe trust Lawrence is there.

I love me some Simmons after watching some of his film last couple of days.

 

[PhillyRam]

i would stake some ROD $ that we trade down from 31
train

Yep, they are trading down unless someone falls into their lap who they deem a great value and perfect fit.

Of course you still need a trade partner, but they will try to find one for sure.

 

[Memento]

If someone like Montez Sweat slips, I think there's a chance that we trade up.

 

[So Ram]

Now that the Rams have their QB - I believe it will be quite some time before they trade up in the 1st round. I recall them trading up for Tavon Austin and that unfortunately didn't work out. Any others since Snead has been onboard (other than franchise QB Goff)?

LaMarcus Joyner early in 2nd. Didn’t like the trade up, but He did get franchised.

 

[FrantikRam]

i would stake some ROD $ that we trade down from 31
train

It will be enticing for sure.

But picks 11-32 are SO valuable because they are the cheaper 5th year options. For players picked between 11-32, their 5th year option is the average of the 3rd-25 highest paid players at that position. So short of taking a QB, your 5th year is going to be a steal (assuming the player turns out to be good). That's why Peters' option is only $8 million.

Pick 31 is even more valuable because it's the 2nd cheapest 1st round pick while having the 5th year option.

Assuming that we re-sign Goff/JJ/Kupp/Littleton and possibly Peters this or next off-season, our core will be set:

Goff/Gurley/Cooks/Kupp on offense

Donald/Littleton/JJ/Peters on defense

Then we'll have mid-level contracts like Hav, NRC, etc.

The rest of the starters are going to be players that we draft and almost know up front that regardless of how they perform, we won't be re-signing them - that's the (HUGE) downside to paying a QB. IMO that could make that 5th year option more valuable than another pick (depending on who they want and where they will be, as well as what pick we can acquire).

 

[Ramstien]

Is Simmons even going to be healthy enough to play this season? I love to watch how Snead works the draft every year.

 

[Rams43]

It will be enticing for sure.

But picks 11-32 are SO valuable because they are the cheaper 5th year options. For players picked between 11-32, their 5th year option is the average of the 3rd-25 highest paid players at that position. So short of taking a QB, your 5th year is going to be a steal (assuming the player turns out to be good). That's why Peters' option is only $8 million.

Pick 31 is even more valuable because it's the 2nd cheapest 1st round pick while having the 5th year option.

Assuming that we re-sign Goff/JJ/Kupp/Littleton and possibly Peters this or next off-season, our core will be set:

Goff/Gurley/Cooks/Kupp on offense

Donald/Littleton/JJ/Peters on defense

Then we'll have mid-level contracts like Hav, NRC, etc.

The rest of the starters are going to be players that we draft and almost know up front that regardless of how they perform, we won't be re-signing them - that's the (HUGE) downside to paying a QB. IMO that could make that 5th year option more valuable than another pick (depending on who they want and where they will be, as well as what pick we can acquire).

All that you post here is true, Frantik.

But the tradedown has powerful advantages, too.

Get two players for 4 years rather than one player for 5 years.
Should get one starter, maybe a 2nd starter by year two.
Permits drastic cap savings at 2 positions which leaves Demoff/Snead/McVay more future trade and FA options.
Rams can take advantage of a draft reportedly value packed in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

 

[MadGoat]

Is Simmons even going to be healthy enough to play this season? I love to watch how Snead works the draft every year.

From everything I've read, I'd say probably, but it's not guaranteed. I'd guess starting the season on the PUP list would be likely.

 

[nighttrain]

From everything I've read, I'd say probably, but it's not guaranteed. I'd guess starting the season on the PUP list would be likely.

The only way Simmons is available at 31 is if he's injured and can't play, otherwise he's a top 10 pick
train

 

[LesBaker]

The rest of the starters are going to be players that we draft and almost know up front that regardless of how they perform, we won't be re-signing them - that's the (HUGE) downside to paying a QB.

In the coming years the cap will increase enough that they will be able to resign one or two guys that play great football. Signing Goff won't prevent that, and I say that because while I don't like Demoff I will give the guy the credit he deserves. He manages to lose only a few players due to cap hits. It's usually Snead making room on the roster for a better player. I can't think of more than a couple or few guys who became free agents and moved on.

The cap will rise in the next two years, then three and four, that it will give the Rams some breathing room.

 

[pmil66]

Mentioned in another topic, if one of the TE's drop into the 20's can see an interesting conversation between Snead and McVay about adding an offensive playmaker, something the Rams did not do in the last draft.

 

[LesBaker]

Mentioned in another topic, if one of the TE's drop into the 20's can see an interesting conversation between Snead and McVay about adding an offensive playmaker, something the Rams did not do in the last draft.

I hope they don't do that. Adding to the defense is my preference over another weapon on offense.

Plus we don't know how involved TE's will ever be in McVay's system.

We don't even know what they think about the two guys at TE right now.

If thee are any picks devoted to offense I would like to see talent added to the OL even if it's guys who are depth for now and step in as starters in a year or two or as players retire.