I don't buy into the trade AD way of thinking. It's a lose situation for the Rams. There is no way they get equal value. The other team knows what they are getting in AD. They won't trade their best player who probably is not as good a player as AD. They will probably trade a good player and some draft picks. We all know that draft picks are a crap shoot. So how can they even come close to equal value. Sit it out
At this stage the Rams are losing anyway. Even if he reports now he won't be up to speed for weeks - maybe they can use him on passing downs, and gradually expand his use - but he needs to get up to speed. And they have to make decisions based on his not being there.
It's true they won't get equal value for him, although cap savings from trading him will add value elsewhere too. And the Rams use their cap room, so it will go to keep other players. And a team trading for him and willing to give any sort of value is likely to be a good one, who thinks he'll make a difference in the postseason, and not willing to give up any good vet unless the vet is redundant to them.
Given how the slew of picks very rapidly from the Redskin trade has caused issues with contracts coming due at the same time, I think I'd like to see the Rams get a bunch of picks over a few years, including a bunch of mid to late picks spread over 5 years or so, as well as some higher picks. Let McVay have enough picks to either draft players that fit the system for years to come, or trade them as opportunities arise as he's done during training camp.
I'd rather have AD at a fair contract having shown up for training camp, but that boat has sailed.
