I find myself even more opposed to this trade than I was originally.
Too many are being seduced by OBJ’s pure talent, IMO.
But the cost and risks? Few seem willing to account for them.
First, the costs:
Even a single 1st would cost the Rams a needed quality Edge, something that Wade’s D critically needs. I can’t overstate this. A starter that would basically complete Wade’s D by providing needed pressure that enhances his DL and secondary effectiveness? Wow! Just gotta have it, y’all. Sure, a lesser player could be picked later in the draft, but does anyone really want to have to “settle” at such a critical position? I think that would fall into “penny wise, pound foolish” territory, tbh.
If another pick is surrendered, such as a 3rd this year or next, that just compounds the loss of needed young and inexpensive long term players. Gawd forbid that they give up a future 1st! Such picks are our future and desperately needed to maintain talent level at cap friendly prices.
Pushing for a SB during our window of opportunity is a great thing. But maybe only up to a point? Don’t know about you, but I want to remain competitive for years and years. Selling our future premium draft picks at some point puts us in a talent and cap situation that would take years to overcome. Too high a price for my tastes.
Next we have the possible impact costs of OBJ’s constant public immaturity and team distractions. McVay is apparently publicly dismissing this factor, I know. I think that that could be a mistake. OBJ takes this crap to a whole new level compared to Suh, Talib, and Peters, at least IMO. Mara is seemingly done with OBJ after only 4 years despite the obvious talent. Alarm bells should be ringing. Beware the “new car fever” about adding a new toy.
Then there’s the little matter of the approx $18 million that OBJ will demand. Question: Where in the world is that money gonna come from our cap? A better question might be which other future players will this force the Rams to let go? And is it not possible that THEIR aggregate value might exceed that of OBJ? Serious question.
Lastly, what about McVay’s spread-it-around O? I don’t see him abandoning such a success anytime soon. So, how would OBJ fit in this O? Or better question might be will he be happy and quiet in it? I have my doubts, needless to say. Corollary question might be to ask just how many fewer targets do we want to see for Woods, Kupp, and Gurley? And would fewer targets be a good thing?
When I add all the above up, I’ve gotta say that I sure hope that this OBJ trade never happens. The net costs will exceed the net benefits by a wide margin, I’m afraid.
