Six weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams made the curious choice to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick instead of adding another player to either side of the ball. It was a confounding decision at the time because of the players still on the board: namely, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain and USC receiver Makai Lemon.
At the time, though, ESPN’s Peter Schrager didn’t sound very concerned about the selection. Soon after the pick was made, the ESPN insider hinted that the Rams were “on to something” that could manifest at some point in the coming weeks.
“They’re on to something, and it might not be during the season. But they might have other things in their pocket, whether it be in the draft or if there’s a disgruntled player elsewhere,” Schrager said. ” They’re not just going to sit there and be quiet.
“Whatever it is. There’s always another thing they can go to in the bag. That’s how they operate.”
Well, we now know what he was likely referencing: The blockbuster trade for Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett.
Picking Simpson, while still a little confusing, makes more sense if you understand what the Rams had been working on in the background. L.A. had reportedly been “hounding” Cleveland for a while regarding a potential Garrett deal, and the team must have felt confident enough in happening to forego taking another edge rusher or impact player at No. 13 and instead focus on their future with that pick.
It makes sense in hindsight, and Schrager clearly had some more intel back during the draft than he was letting on.
Now we know: Never doubt that Les Snead and Sean McVay have something cooking in the background.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Watch: Peter Schrager hinted at a blockbuster Rams trade during draft
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
