Had the Los Angeles Rams not traded their first-round pick to the Detroit Lions in the Matthew Stafford deal, they’d be picking in the top 10 this year. Granted, they also (probably) wouldn’t have won the Super Bowl, but it hurts to see the Rams without a first-round pick after such a frustrating season.
Los Angeles finished with a 5-12 record this season, which was the sixth-worst in the NFL. As a result, the Lions hold the No. 6 overall pick in the draft thanks to their trade with the Rams. Detroit will also have its own pick at No. 18, too.
As for the Rams, their first pick will come in the second round at No. 36 overall. The Dolphins forfeited their first-rounder due to tampering violations, so there are only 31 picks in Round 1 this year. Therefore, the Rams will pick 36th, fifth in Round 2. They will alternate draft slots with the Broncos each round because both finished with the same record.
If the Rams stand pat at No. 36 overall, which is unlikely to happen based on Les Snead’s history, that will be the earliest they’ve picked since 2016 when they took Jared Goff with the first pick. In the six drafts since, the Rams have never picked a player earlier than 44th overall when they took Gerald Everett in Round 2 of the 2017 draft. Last year, the Rams didn’t make their first pick until 104th overall, selecting Logan Bruss out of Wisconsin.
Even though Los Angeles doesn’t have a first-round pick, there will be plenty of high-caliber players available when it eventually goes on the clock in Round 2.
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