With only 6 picks, Rams are once again poised to trade down in draft

Laying out a few trade-down scenarios for the Rams in the draft.

Rams general manager Les Snead has never been shy about his infatuation for third- and fourth-round picks, once again emphasizing the value of them this year when discussing the compensatory pick formula. With the Rams set to lose at least two or three starters in free agency, he knows third- and fourth-round compensatory picks are coming their way in 2021 – which elicited this comment from the GM.

“Third-rounders can lead to John Johnsons and Cooper Kupps and last year, Bobby Evans was a third-rounder and ended up helping us late. I always say, extra third- and fourth-rounders can be very beneficial,” he said recently.

The Rams come into the 2020 draft with only six total picks, three of which are in the top 105: 52, 84 and 104. The 104th overall pick is a compensatory selection at the end of the third round, a bonus after the team was projected to only get a fourth-rounder.

The rest of L.A.’s picks come at Nos. 126, 199 and 234, the latter two of which won’t be much help to the team in 2020. The Rams’ six total picks are tied for the second-fewest in the NFL, only one more than the Chiefs’ and Saints’ five.

With limited draft capital this year, Snead is poised to work his magic again, waving his wand and turning six picks into nine or 10. Just last year, the Rams went into the draft with seven picks, including just one in the top 90. After it was all said and done, they made selections at No. 61, 70, and 79, leaving the draft with eight picks.

In 2018, they had eight picks. Snead turned those eight selections into 11 rookies, including five in the first five rounds. The return has been minimal on the 2018 draft class, but the more darts you have to throw, the more likely you are to hit.

Given their recent history, it seems probable that the Rams are going to trade down from the 52nd overall pick in order to add more picks. But what are some possible scenarios? Let’s lay a few out, based on the trade value chart.

Rams trade No. 52 to:

  • Dolphins for picks 56, 154 and 185
  • Seahawks for picks 59, 133 and 162
  • Ravens for picks 60 and 106
  • Chiefs for picks 63 and 96

Obviously, these aren’t the only scenarios, but they are possible ones. The Dolphins are the most likely team to come up, holding 14 picks in the draft, which is probably more than they’ll be able to fit on their 53-man roster.

The Seahawks are usually like the Rams in the fact that they prefer to trade down rather than up, but with two picks in each of the second and fourth rounds, perhaps a move up is in the cards.

The Ravens and Chiefs already have loaded rosters, so going up to get a player they covet in the second round could be worth the price it’ll cost to make it happen.

If you’re banking on the Rams making a pick at No. 52, you should probably rethink it. A trade down is likely in order.

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