FanPost

Let's Trade Up

I recently saw a mock that had the Rams nabbing both Sammy Watkins and Jake Matthews by making a couple of different moves. We started by moving down from 2-4, and then moved up from 13-7. While I'm not completely sure that this scenario could happen, it definitely gave me something to think about.

For starters, there are roughly 8 "blue chip" prospects in this year's draft class:

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

We currently have two selections in the first half of the first round - #2 and #13

We've talked and will continue to talk about moving down with the #2 overall pick to pick up future selections, but we haven't talked much about trading up with our second pick. In fact, most people seem content with just trading down again and again until we have all 32 first round picks in the 2019 draft.

The Rams are now at a point where they're close to competing for a playoff spot. Two blue chip players could push the team over the top.

So, if we could trade up to get a second pick in the top 8, would you be opposed to it?

Let's look at the cost:

If we were to move down from 2 to 4 or 5, we'd likely be able to pick up a 2015 1st rounder or a 2014 2nd rounder. If we picked up a 2nd rounder in 2014, that alone would give us the ammunition to move up from 13 to 6 or 8... It seems to be doable.

Let's look at a few different possible combinations of players that this could bring us:

QB - Johnny Manziel and WR - Sammy Watkins - By far the most "exciting" two player combination... It isn't necessarily the "smartest", but who wouldn't love to see Manziel, Watkins, and Tavon Austin on the field together?

OT - Jake Matthews and WR - Sammy Watkins - This would be the best offensive upgrade made since bringing Sam Bradford in. These are two players who have the potential to be Top-5 at their position within a couple of years.

OT - Jake Matthews and OLB Anthony Barr/Khalil Mack - This would give us better protection up front, while also giving our defense a blitzing linebacker to amplify our already great pass rush.

WR - Sammy Watkins and OLB Anthony Barr/Khalil Mack - This would give us another weapon on offense and another weapon on defense... I love firepower.