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The St. Louis Rams are getting aggressive, launching an all-out media assault to stir interest in Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and, more importantly, the asking price for the second pick. You would be hard pressed to find a major media outlet this week not reporting on a potential asking price or an interested party for the Rams' pick.
So what is the latest? Hint, the mystery team is back!
Ok, we do not know if the Rams are really out there seeding this information in the press ahead of the March 13 kick off of the league year, the day when trades can start happening.
The most interesting report out on Tuesday comes from Peter King, who already devoted a substantial part of his MMQB column to the RG3 and the possibility of a trade. King reports that a surprise team has already put out a "feeler" about the possibility of a trade.
... in a meeting of the new St. Louis brain trust, chief operating officer Kevin Demoff told coach Jeff Fisher and G.M. Les Snead that they didn't have to play the phony card of threatening to draft Griffin. St. Louis is ready to deal its pick, and one NFL source said on Saturday night that the team has already had several feelers-including one from a team "you would never expect."
As for who that mystery team is, the New York Jets are one name that has popped up around the bowels of the internet. Even the Eagles have come up in the trade discussion, after RG3 mentioned his meeting with Andy Reid. Another possibility might be Kansas City, though less a surprise given their long-term need at quarterback.
The emergence of a mystery team is perfect for the Rams, allowing them some leverage to drive up bidding by scaring the hell out of the more likely suitors, teams like Washington and Cleveland.
Cleveland can have the pick if they want it with two first-round picks to include this year. Washington also seems desperate enough and in a good spot with the sixth pick to give.
King's report also says this:
It's likely the Rams will get the highest compensation ever for a draft choice that wasn't the first overall: at least two picks in the first round plus another.
The possibility of three first-round picks is being floated with increasing regularity over the last 48 hours.
Stay tuned.