Trading back is in Les Snead’s DNA. The Los Angeles Rams general manager loves moving down the board to recoup picks, which help round out the roster each season.
Don’t get it twisted: He often moves up for players, too. But as we’ve seen throughout his tenure, his preference is to stockpile picks.
Holding the 13th overall pick, the Rams are in position to either draft a top prospect or move down and add more capital – while still securing a first-rounder. Those options put them in a great spot, especially if a prospect that other teams covet falls to No. 13.
Using the Rich Hill trade value chart, here are five potential trade-down scenarios for the Rams in the first round.
Trade with Lions for No. 17
This would be a modest trade back but even in doing so, the Rams would add two crucial picks: one in the fourth and one in the fifth. Fittingly, those are the only two rounds the Rams don’t have any picks in.
This deal would bridge the gap between No. 93 and 207 nicely, giving the Rams some ammo for the middle rounds if there are prospects they like outside the top 100.
Trade with Vikings for No. 18
For trading back just five spots, the Rams could recoup a third-round pick from the Vikings. Minnesota has nine total picks in the draft, which is plenty, allowing interim GM Rob Brzezinski to move around the board in his first draft at the helm. Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman has been linked to the Vikings often so maybe they’ll want to ensure they get him by trading up.
Trade with Steelers for No. 21
If the Steelers covet a quarterback like Ty Simpson, they might want to jump the Jets at No. 16 for him. By trading up to 13, they’d almost guarantee they’ll get their guy, even if it’s a bit rich for a polarizing prospect like Simpson. They could also target offensive line help ahead of the Ravens and Buccaneers.
Trade with Bears for No. 25
This would be a really nice haul for the Rams, not only giving them an extra second-rounder, but also a pick at No. 129 to shorten the gap between their third- and sixth-round picks. Should the Bears want a defensive lineman or a safety, they could trade up to go get one.
Trade with Texans for No. 29
If the Rams want to trade way down the board but still keep the benefit of a fifth-year option that comes with first-round picks, perhaps they could make a deal with the Texans, a team they’ve traded for several times over the years. After making this deal, the Rams would have Nos. 29, 59, 61, 93 and 106. They’d go from having three picks in the top 93 to having five in the top 106.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 trades the Rams could make to move down in Round 1
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
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