FanPost

Draft Alternative Without Trade for Tavon Austin


So I want to play devil's advocate here. I will back whatever decision Fisher and Snead make, but what players could the Rams have received if they didn't trade up for Tavon Austin? In this scenario, I kept the trade down in the first with Atlanta and also the trade up to get Zac Stacy in the 5th. I wanted to keep this scenario as close to what actually happened just minus the trade up in the first.

Real Draft Alternate Draft
Pick No. Player Pick No. Player
8 Tavon Austin WR, WVU 16 DeAndre Hopkins WR, Clemson
30 Alec Ogletree OLB, UGA 30 Alec Ogletree OLB, UGA
71 TJ McDonald SS, USC 46 DJ Swearinger SS, Scar
92 Stedman Bailey WR, WVU 78 Markus Wheaton WR Oregon St
113 Barret Jones OL, Bama 92 Phillip Thomas FS, SDSU
149 Brandon McGee CB, Miami 113 Barret Jones OL, Bama
160 Zac Stacy RB, Vandy 149 Brandon McGee CB, Miami


160 Zac Stacy RB, Vandy


222 Reid Fragel OT, OSU

In this alternative, the Rams sacrifice the ultimate dynamo in Austin, but get another receiver they really like in Hopkins and a great slot receiver and returner in Wheaton. The safety situation shakes out much better in my opinion with Swearinger and P. Thomas. Also, the Rams add a little OT depth with Fragel.

Keep in mind, this is all done in hindsight. I knew what prospects went where, while Snead and Fisher did not, so I had a definitive advantage. What do you think? Would you trade Austin, McDonald, and Bailey for Hopkins, Swearinger, Wheaton, Thomas, and Fragel? I'd appreciate your feedback.