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Trading down

Let's talk draft day trading this morning. It seems to be a fairly popular option among Rams fans as evidenced by the poll on your right and our community discussion of the first round pick a week ago.

There's enough information, factual and anecdotal emerging to assume that a trade for the Rams is at least a very distinct possibility. In a Friday blog post recapping his AM 1380 interview with Billy Devaney, the new Rams player guru said that he expected to get calls before and up to draft day from teams interested in moving up to the second overall pick. Notably, Devaney said that they will listen to all offers.

Yesterday, Peter King at Sports Illustrated took a look at some of the recent past's more active trading teams with a concentrated number of picks on the first day. The team that should stand out for Rams fans is the Cowboys, whose owner Jerry Jones is reportedly dying to get Razorback rusher Darren McFadden.  

McFadden should be an easy get with the second overall pick and the Cowboys have what might be of interest to the Rams with two first rounds picks, 22nd and 28th. A swap of those two picks for the Rams second pick doesn't quite even out points wise. The 2nd pick is worth 2600 points, and the 22nd pick and 28th pick are worth 780 and 660, respectively. That's a net difference of 1160 points, meaning the Cowboys would likely have to sweeten the pot with a player on their roster or another pick. If they manage to sign Pacman Jones, maybe they'd have some interest in putting a CB in the deal. That's neither here nor there; for the sake of argument here, let's just assume the Rams would get a player that at least fills a depth need with this trade scenario.

That's a big trade down, and it means the Rams would not get a Vernon Gholston, Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey, and any of the other guys meriting top pick consideration. It would, however, give the Rams three picks concentrated in a potentially rich area of the draft, 22nd, 28th and their 34th overall pick, which essentially becomes the first pick of the second round since NE forfeited their 31st pick thanks to gratuitous videotaping.

With that grouping, the Rams should be able to fill several positional needs from among the draft's elite prospects. They could take a CB, an OT and DE like Quentin Groves. Or, depending on whether or not they get a player from Dallas in such a trade, they could make a WR one of those three picks.

That's one draft day trade possibility.

The Chiefs need o-line talent...badly. They covet Jake Long, but know he probably won't be there with their 5th overall pick. The Chiefs and Rams could swap the 2nd and 5th picks, and to even things out getting the Chiefs to throw in their second round pick, 36th overall, would almost even it out points wise. The Rams should be able to get Vernon Gholston with the fifth pick and another high pick int he second round should net them another blue chip prospect ready to play in 2008.

The scenario with the Chiefs makes the most sense, in that the Rams still get one of the home run picks they're looking for early in the draft, while adding another high second round pick. You have to wonder if all the hype the team is giving Jake Long doesn't have some ulterior motive...

The scenario with the Cowboys is intriguing because it could potentially add a lot of talent to the team with one swoop. Losing the home run potential you get from a top five pick causes the most hesitation.

It's a lot to think about.

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trading
I can definitely see the benefits to both sides of this argument. On the one hand, we can get the "home-run" hitter to compliment either line, and instantly makes either unit that much better.

On the other hand, the opportunity is there trade down, and give the team much-needed depth at multiple positions, possibly linebacker and wide reciever. Last year, Adam Carriker was all that we thought he would be, but a great player on an otherwise mediocre team does not a good season make. We've seen in the recent past that players taken in the lower end of the first round/early second round can develop nicely in the NFL, i.e., DeMeco Ryans (33rd overall), Joseph Addai (30th overall), Joe Staley (28th overall) etc. There is no question that there still is (especially in Rams' case) potential-starter material in the lower first round; there's also the potential to make that "sexy" pick that the Rams haven't made in a while.

Personally, I think it would do us some good to trade down. As much as I want Mel Kieper to talk about the Rams on Sportscenter for the next month, it just makes sense to get as many first round talent guys on the team as possible. That way it pushes the existing starters into a more competitive mindset, and they can possibly even earn a starting spot themselves. It's been some time since the Rams have had this high of a position in the draft. While I've wanted us to take that sexy, big name prospect in the past, I think the right thing to do towards building a good team is to build solid depth, and to get as young as possible.

by kevinramsfan on Mar 25, 2008 10:37 AM CDT   0 recs

Looking Back
Looking back on the Rams previous drafts, in the first round..

2007 Carriker (13)
2006 Hill (15)
2005 Barron (19)
2004 Jackson (24)
2003 Kennedy (12)
2002 R. Thomas (31)
2001 Lewis (12) Archuleta (20)
2000 Candidate (31)

It does not seem to matter that much where we draft in the first round- there are hits and misses all over the board. Holt was 6th overall, but so was Lawrence Phillips.

Why is there a Mark McGwire highway and no Larry Marmie highway?

by Marmie is the best on Mar 25, 2008 6:07 PM CDT   0 recs

Thank you for the list
one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 27, 2008 2:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Picks, picks, picks
I wouldn't be the least bit upset if we traded with Dallas and received 2 first rounders, a third rounder/ or quality starter.  The Rams have so many holes to fill.  They also need better depth at important positions such as LB, DE, CB, and S just to name a few.  This draft is fairly deep in certain areas (defense and OT) and it would allow us to get a better WR without feeling like we're skimped at other positions.  I say go for as many picks in the top 100 as we can.  Guys like Chris Long and Vernon Gholson are true badasses but.... are they better than Gosder Cherilus (OT), Antione Cason (CB), and Eddie Royal (WR) put together? Because that is what the return on just the overall number 2 pick would yield, give or take. Now add the picks we already own in #33 Quentin Groves (DE), #65 Erin Henderson (OLB), #97 Steve Justice (C)and you've got some crazy ass shit about to happen in a goood way.  

Summary:  St. Louis trades Dallas #2 for #22, #28, and #93

#22  Gosder Cherilus   OT
#28  Antione Cason     CB
#33  Quentin Groves    DE
#65  Erin Henderson    OLB
#93  Eddie Royal       WR
#97  Steve Justice     C

C'mon now!  THIS IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE and we haven't even made it to the 4th round!  Alas...the Rams won't do it because they think that they would get the most impact with a top 6 pick.  I, for one, think that people like Parcels and Jimmy J have won multiple Super Bowls for this style of drafting.  

by AmpLee on Mar 26, 2008 1:27 AM CDT   0 recs

Screw it
here's the rest of the draft:

#130 John David Booty   QB
#162 Ali HighSmith      OLB
#174 Caleb Cambell      SS
#202 Arian Arrington    WR

by AmpLee on Mar 26, 2008 1:43 AM CDT   0 recs

Hmmmm
Amp, you just about have me convinced...a draft like that would do a lot to restock the cupboard...it might not mean as much in '08, but this is a big rebuilding job even if you get the #2 or the #6 pick.

Also, might the Rams get a comp pick or two? That would sweeten things even more!

by tbell61 on Mar 26, 2008 4:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Booty and Highsmith

Probably won't be available at those picks.  Actually, probably all of them will be going in the round earlier than you've got them as picks.

by notor on Mar 26, 2008 6:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe
Highsmith is a little low but he's been getting terrible reports lately.  Do some searching around and you'll find that just about everybody is around their slot.  In some ways I thought I was being to stingy.

by AmpLee on Mar 27, 2008 1:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like projects
one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 27, 2008 2:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I reaaaaaally...

....don't think the Cowboys are going to trade up for McFadden, not for what it would cost them to do it at least.

by notor on Mar 26, 2008 6:42 PM CDT   0 recs

amp
I think that draft right there is awesome even if it is the BEST case scenario.

by kevinramsfan on Mar 26, 2008 10:36 PM CDT   0 recs

Ali
I don't know about Booty, but I do not see any way that Highsmith falls to 162 based on everything that I read about him. If he does drop that far, it kind of worries me that other teams may know something that we don't.
Why is there a Mark McGwire highway and no Larry Marmie highway?

by Marmie is the best on Mar 27, 2008 12:13 AM CDT   0 recs

Boot the Booty
Of course, if he turns out to be the next Brady, then my real name is "Amp Lee"!

I am calling for a Ram mock draft, updated weekly, with the final Ram mock draft due one day before the actual mock, I mean real, draft (getting confused again).

My current thinking is to trade all of our draft picks for the Bears MLB (what's his name).

Dorsey just had a decent pro day. Expect him back in the top 4 on almost every draft.

one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 27, 2008 3:03 AM CDT   0 recs

Chiefs a good Idea
For trade down. Clady is the second option, and a reach.
one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 27, 2008 3:22 AM CDT   0 recs

Jerry Jones...
has never drafted anyone from his alma mater, Arkansas, since he has been in the league...I don't think he'll start now...trading up will cost a lot in draft picks and $$$...a 1st choice RB would get a 30 mill guaranteed contract...that's taking a real chance with a RB who could either be a bust or get seriously injured...

Trading down makes financial sense for the Rams, but it increases the pressure on them to draft wisely...do we think they will make the right decisions if they have multiple picks instead of the number 2?  

by Dochal on Mar 28, 2008 2:14 AM CDT   0 recs

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