Trading up into the top half of round 2

[TheTackle]

I know conventional wisdom around here is to trade down - but that would be a mistake in my view. We have the draft capital to pick 3 or 4 potential starters at positions of need, including a potential pro-bowl talent at the top of round 2

picks 52 and 57 = 710 points

2025 NFL Trade Value Chart

www.drafttek.com

Why not trade up with, for example, Cleveland for their 41st pick and 74th pick? Then draft a top WR or RB?

If one or more of Josh Jones, Denzil Mims, JK Dobbins, Cesar Ruiz, Zack Baun, Tee Higgins or Clyde Edwards-Helaire was available and had been evaluated as a plus-starter, would you trade up to draft them? I know I would...

We would still have lots of freedom to move around the board with the 74th 84th 104th and 126th picks...

Leverage 74 & 84 to trade with, for example, Dallas at 51 - leaving us with a 3rd (104th) and 4th (126th)
Trade our 84th and 104th picks to move into Detroit's slot at 67 - leaving us with a high 3rd (74th) and mid 4th (126th).
Trade 74th and 104th to Baltimore for pick 60 - leaving us with a mid 3rd (84th) and mid 4th (126th)
Stand pat at 74 and 84 but trade up from 104 and 126 with, for example, Tennessee at pick 93 - with them sending a makeweight 6th or 7th our way

Just saying

 

[tklongball]

Provided those teams are willing and motivated to make those trades

 

[oldnotdead]

This isn't like any other draft. With the truncated ability to scout, IMO you let the draft come to you. I think trading down would be what most teams are looking at. That said I can easily see the Rams packaging Hill & Havenstein for a second-round pick. That would give them 5 picks in rounds 2 & 3. In this draft, IMO players are likely to fall rather than be over-drafted. The Rams really only need 3 players, OLB(SAM to backup and rotate with Ebukam), Edge & RB. Those are the kinds of positions that can be filled with quality players in rounds 2 & 3. This draft is deep in WR's so it can be addressed in round 3 or 4.

By packaging Hill & Havenstein it would immediately put the team's cap into the black. With all the other picks they can fill in depth concerns. I can also see them targeting a DB in perhaps the 4th. The bottom line is I don't see them looking for starters but rather quality depth with an eye on upcoming Ram FAs. Which is why I think OLB is a much bigger concern than ILB. There is no one on the roster that has the versatility of Ebukam. Samson is in a contract year and will command a pretty hefty raise and will draw a lot of attention. The Rams have no one of proven quality behind him.

With 2 picks in round 2, 2 more picks in round 3 and another pick in round 4 the Rams are well situated to get 5 quality players at positions of need. If they choose not to move at all it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[tklongball]

In this draft, IMO players are likely to fall rather than be over-drafted.

But in order for some players to fall, others have to be over-drafted, right? I mean a specific position group could rise or fall, but overall, one guy gets picked at each spot.

 

[RamDino]

Absolute NO to trading up. You never know what you are getting, and two at-bats are better than one. IE - see Greg Robinson. Plus the Rams could use more players, not less.

 

[Ram Ts]

The only reason you trade up as the rams would be if someone you love and think is an immediate starter falls. I don’t see that in the 30-50 range. Maybe Ruiz. Baun possibly but not sure he’s a day one starter at all. The RB would be day 1 potential starters, but not a need to waste draft capital on any of them moving up - one or more will be there at 52 (or even later).

IMO, this draft is about getting 2021 guys more so than 2020 guys

 

[Memento]

I'd do it for a certain wideout that I'm taking in my next mock.

 

[FarNorth]

The only reason you trade up as the rams would be if someone you love and think is an immediate starter falls. I don’t see that in the 30-50 range. Maybe Ruiz. Baun possibly but not sure he’s a day one starter at all. The RB would be day 1 potential starters, but not a need to waste draft capital on any of them moving up - one or more will be there at 52 (or even later).

IMO, this draft is about getting 2021 guys more so than 2020 guys

I like where we're at now.

But I would consider moving up if we could get Jonathan Taylor somewhere in the second. That's a pick that imo might look like a steal in a few years. 226 pounds, 4.38, great moves, can catch, led the NCAA in rushing how many times? There are probably other players, maybe even one of the centers, that would be worth considering for a trade up at least to higher in the second. Doubt we would want to move into the first, would take too much capital.

But I still like where we're at now.

 

[Rams43]

Well, I’m no draftnik, heaven knows, but I do know this.

In most drafts there is a dropoff after 20-25 picks to a lower plateau.

Further ‘plateau dropoffs’ occur usually somewhere in the 2nd round and might extend through the 3rd, sometimes a bit later.

IOW, GM’s will quickly find themselves hairsplitting when rating players from around picks 50-100 which just happens to be right smack dab where the Rams will be picking whether trading down or not.

Sooooo...

Why not trade down, if possible, gaining 1-2 more picks that are more or less equally rated in this particularly deep draft?

Think Higbee, Kupp, JJ, Ebu, Rapp, Edwards, Evans, Long, Henderson, and probably a lot of other players I’ve missed that were gems taken from late 2nd on.

Seems like a no brainer to me. Sigh...

 

[TheTackle]

Absolute NO to trading up. You never know what you are getting, and two at-bats are better than one. IE - see Greg Robinson. Plus the Rams could use more players, not less.

In that first scenario we didn’t loose a pick

It is all very well picking lots of players but only so many can make the team

 

[TheTackle]

This isn't like any other draft. With the truncated ability to scout, IMO you let the draft come to you. I think trading down would be what most teams are looking at. That said I can easily see the Rams packaging Hill & Havenstein for a second-round pick. That would give them 5 picks in rounds 2 & 3. In this draft, IMO players are likely to fall rather than be over-drafted. The Rams really only need 3 players, OLB(SAM to backup and rotate with Ebukam), Edge & RB. Those are the kinds of positions that can be filled with quality players in rounds 2 & 3. This draft is deep in WR's so it can be addressed in round 3 or 4.

By packaging Hill & Havenstein it would immediately put the team's cap into the black. With all the other picks they can fill in depth concerns. I can also see them targeting a DB in perhaps the 4th. The bottom line is I don't see them looking for starters but rather quality depth with an eye on upcoming Ram FAs. Which is why I think OLB is a much bigger concern than ILB. There is no one on the roster that has the versatility of Ebukam. Samson is in a contract year and will command a pretty hefty raise and will draw a lot of attention. The Rams have no one of proven quality behind him.

With 2 picks in round 2, 2 more picks in round 3 and another pick in round 4 the Rams are well situated to get 5 quality players at positions of need. If they choose not to move at all it wouldn't surprise me.

I disagree with almost everything you wrote. We wouldn’t receive a 2nd round pick for Hill and Hav + we would be down two starters. This is not Madden

Time will tell but whether they trade up, stand pat or trade down will depend on how the draft flows

They rely on film. The combine, visits and work outs are added to the mix. McVay and Snead are hardly passive when it comes to drafting. Not all players are of equal value or ability. There will be some plus players in reach but I don’t pretend to know their board and will see how it plays out with everyone else. I normally am in favour of trading down and predicted so last year. This year however I think we will plot a different path. Time will tell

 

[TheTackle]

Well, I’m no draftnik, heaven knows, but I do know this.

In most drafts there is a dropoff after 20-25 picks to a lower plateau.

Further ‘plateau dropoffs’ occur usually somewhere in the 2nd round and might extend through the 3rd, sometimes a bit later.

IOW, GM’s will quickly find themselves hairsplitting when rating players from around picks 50-100 which just happens to be right smack dab where the Rams will be picking whether trading down or not.

Sooooo...

Why not trade down, if possible, gaining 1-2 more picks that are more or less equally rated in this particularly deep draft?

Think Higbee, Kupp, JJ, Ebu, Rapp, Edwards, Evans, Long, Henderson, and probably a lot of other players I’ve missed that were gems taken from late 2nd on.

Seems like a no brainer to me. Sigh...

All good points, only this year is exceptionally deep at WR RB and OL. With marquee players at other positions that should push players into our range

As I showed you don’t necessarily need to lose a pick or picks by trading up for a player who you expect will elevate the team at WR RB, OL or perhaps LB

 

[Ram65]

So here are the numbers after the first trade.

41 and 74 vs 52 and 57

I don't know who the Rams would covet at 41 to drop back 17 spots with the second pick.

At LBer I think if Queen, Murray or Baun drop I would move up. They probably would go sooner than 41 I don't see moving much higher up. I wouldn't move up for a RB. Henderson should get the majority of carries and is very good catching the ball. Rams could find a good RB as the number 2 later in the draft. The Rams have a few OCs to chose from and can wait for one that falls. There are lots of WRs to chose from as well. I can see the Rams taking a smaller jump up for a player they really want. More likely would be a little drop to obtain an asset to move up later in the draft.

Who is worth moving up for that could be available?

 

[simonblaze]

Absolute NO to trading up. You never know what you are getting, and two at-bats are better than one. IE - see Greg Robinson. Plus the Rams could use more players, not less.

I agree but I really think Josh Jones is the exception to that...and they have met with him

 

[TheTackle]

So here are the numbers after the first trade.

41 and 74 vs 52 and 57

I don't know who the Rams would covet at 41 to drop back 17 spots with the second pick.

At LBer I think if Queen, Murray or Baun drop I would move up. They probably would go sooner than 41 I don't see moving much higher up. I wouldn't move up for a RB. Henderson should get the majority of carries and is very good catching the ball. Rams could find a good RB as the number 2 later in the draft. The Rams have a few OCs to chose from and can wait for one that falls. There are lots of WRs to chose from as well. I can see the Rams taking a smaller jump up for a player they really want. More likely would be a little drop to obtain an asset to move up later in the draft.

Who is worth moving up for that could be available?

There are few potential players that I listed. For me personally all - including Mims, Dobbins and Ruiz - fall into that category. As you say, it depends how the 1st round plays out. I am not endorsing trading down for the sake of it, but to pick a plus player - someone who would contribute this season

 

[TheTackle]

I agree but I really think Josh Jones is the exception to that...and they have met with him

Like I said, we don’t have to loose picks to trade up. Jones might be gone but perhaps they are high on Cleveland or a specific interior OL. We need to manage the board by being aggressive when the opportunity presents itself

 

[ramfan46]

Well, I’m no draftnik, heaven knows, but I do know this.

In most drafts there is a dropoff after 20-25 picks to a lower plateau.

Further ‘plateau dropoffs’ occur usually somewhere in the 2nd round and might extend through the 3rd, sometimes a bit later.

IOW, GM’s will quickly find themselves hairsplitting when rating players from around picks 50-100 which just happens to be right smack dab where the Rams will be picking whether trading down or not.

Sooooo...

Why not trade down, if possible, gaining 1-2 more picks that are more or less equally rated in this particularly deep draft?

Think Higbee, Kupp, JJ, Ebu, Rapp, Edwards, Evans, Long, Henderson, and probably a lot of other players I’ve missed that were gems taken from late 2nd on.

Seems like a no brainer to me. Sigh...

This. Target a 2-3 guys you love in the 60-75 range and trade down for him and stock extra picks. I love how Snead worked the phones last year. Wish he would have stood still and used the extra picks instead of trading back up though. There are always players in each round that provide great value. I only like trading up for premium talent. Trading up for guys like Joyner doesn't seem to be the way to go. Henderson and Gaines needs to show something or that's another couple of questionable move trading up.

 

[Corbin]

In this draft the mid rounds past the First round and half of round 2 that are highly rated for trades are stacked with talent, so no.

I stay pat or trade down. There is a ton of starters or future starters in this range.

Trusting your board and letting the draft come to you while taking advantage of other desperate GM’s is what works best.

 

[rams1fan]

If Jonathan Taylor is there I hope they take the 52nd pick and their 3rd to go up and get him