The Los Angeles Rams are making a strong case for themselves as the team to beat in the NFL this season, with a roster that includes reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford, defensive player of the year Aaron Donald, and other key contributors.
The Rams have been widely proclaimed as Super Bowl favorites, and their star-studded roster has drawn attention for its perceived reliance on expensive veteran players. However, their front office brain trust of general manager Les Snead, assistant general manager John McKay, and coach Sean McVay has actually used the draft quite effectively, particularly in rounds other than the first.
According to Joel Corry, a former agent now working as an NFL contracts and salary cap expert for CBS Sports, the Rams' approach is often misunderstood. "That is really a misnomer," he said. "It gets the traction just because of what Les Snead said and the fact that they'd gone multiple years without a first-round pick."
The Rams have indeed been strategic in their use of the draft, accumulating a foundation of young, cap-friendly talent in rounds two through six. This approach has yielded key players like wide receiver Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams, and pass rusher Byron Young.
"I love how they've approached it," said Louis Riddick, a former NFL player, scout, and front office executive now working as an analyst for ESPN. "When you look at their roster, even though Les said, 'F them picks' and they had that shirt and all, look at some of the players they have that are homegrown that they drafted."
The Rams' draft haul has included several notable players, including Nacua, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2023 draft and has since become a two-time Pro Bowler. They've also drafted running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, guard Steve Avila, and defensive backs Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake.
Their aggressive approach to roster construction has allowed the Rams to assemble a team capable of competing for a championship. As Corry noted, "They're in a win-now mode. They've got a quarterback who's in the twilight of his career, although he's still an elite quarterback."
The Rams' willingness to make big moves has also been a key factor in their success. They traded for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in 2019, quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021, and pass rusher Von Miller mid-season in 2021, and have continued to be active in the offseason.
The team's latest blockbuster trade saw them send first-, fifth-, and sixth-round draft choices to the Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie, and then sign him to a four-year, $124 million contract extension. In June, they made an even bigger trade, sending pass rusher Jared Verse and three picks to the Browns for defensive tackle Myles Garrett.
The Rams are now the first NFL team ever to have both a quarterback who is the reigning MVP and the defensive player of the year from the previous season. With a strong roster and a willingness to make big moves, they are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Source: Yahoo Sports