I reserve the right to change my mind over the months ahead, but right now, I'm firmly of the belief that the St. Louis Rams should trade their first overall pick, if (and it's a big if) they can get a decent return for it.
I know lots of people out there want the Rams to draft Ndamukong Suh, and I'm sympathetic to their arguments. He looks like and probably is the kind of talent that only comes along every once in a while. Trading down offers them the chance to pick up more talent, either in the form of draft picks or established NFL players. One example is the scenario we referenced recently (pitched by a Denver sports columnist) that suggested the Rams swap their first overall pick to the Broncos for Brandon Marshall and the 11th overall pick in the draft. Why pass on Suh when DL is one huge area of need for the Rams? I think this is a Rams staff that specializes in getting the most of defensive linemen, just look at how Chris Long blossomed this season, and with a draft loaded with talented defensive linemen, they can get still get a top-flight player with a pick later in the first round or early in the second.
In truth, it's probably easier and more realistic for Rams GM Billy Devaney to swap the Rams first pick of the second round. That trade could fetch a nice haul. Last year, Oakland traded New England their second round pick, 40th overall (8th pick in the second round), for a second round (47th), fourth and fifth round selections. Heck, if you don't subscribe to one-in-the-hand theory of draft picks, then there's always the possibility of something like what Denver and Seattle did last year, with the Broncos swapping their 2010 first round pick for a 2009 second round pick. And then take a look at one of the team's with a stock pile of picks, the Patriots, the trader joe of the NFL draft. Tampa Bay has two second round picks as well.
Oh draft, you can't arrive soon enough.