For the first time since 2016, the Los Angeles Rams will have a first-round selection in the NFL Draft, and there are a
lot of different ways they might go given their abundance of needs. Staying there and selecting at No. 19, where there
will be a wealth of talent to cover any need they may have, is one of those alternatives. Another option, though,
would be to move up and get aggressive; the Rams have a history of doing this under general manager Les Snead.
The previous time the Rams selected in the first round, they actually did just that—trading up to the No. 1 slot with
the Tennessee Titans in order to choose Jared Goff. The Rams surrendered their No. 15 pick, two second-round
selections, a third-round selection, a first-round selection, and a third-round selection in 2017 in exchange. The
Titans also returned a fourth-round selection and a sixth-round selection to Los Angeles in exchange. It is therefore
possible that the Rams will become aggressive and try to push someone up again if they feel like they are falling.
One such player who may be a possibility is Brock Bowers, a standout tight end out of Georgia who is regarded as the
best tight end prospect in the draft, as our colleagues at The Rams Wire pointed out.
In addition to satisfying their urgent need at tight end, a trade-up for Bowers would provide Sean McVay’s offensive
arsenal a dangerous playmaker. After all, there is a serious need to strengthen the tight end position because Tyler
Higbee’s ailment may make him unavailable for the opening of the season. The Rams’ passing game would benefit
immediately from Bowers’ agility and versatility, which would enhance the play of seasoned players like Cooper
Kupp and Kyren Williams. Furthermore, the Rams’ offense might become much more potent with the addition of
Bowers, given the importance of pass-catching tight ends in the modern NFL.
defense has significant gaps at the positions of corner and edge rusher, and strengthening the offensive line has long
been seen as a need. All of that being said, it might be wiser for Los Angeles to remain in place or even make a deal to
obtain more draft capital in order to bolster their roster, given that the Rams are only now beginning to recoup from
a cap space standpoint following their flurry of previous moves, including the Goff trade. Whatever the case, nothing
should be written off come draft day given the variety of strategies Snead has discovered for adding players who
make a difference to the team.
