Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead in contention for Executive of the Year

Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead has long been revered for his mastery of trades in the NFL. Dating back to the 2012 heist that he received from the Washington Redskins for Robert Griffin III, Snead has shown a penchant for making trades in a league not known for blockbusters.

Last summer was no exception. Within the span of a few weeks, Snead acquired Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, and Brandin Cooks via trades. In addition to that, the Rams brought in Ndomukong Suh Those acquisitions have placed Snead in the conversation for 2018 Executive of the Year.

From Chris Wesseling at NFL.com has Snead listed as 5th on his short list.

Akin to the Saints, the Rams have the luxury of a competitive advantage within their division because their top priority is flying a championship banner rather than rebooting the roster. Snead joined the NFC arms race with gusto, acquiring a trio of former All-Pro defenders in Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters while signing reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald to a mega contract. Filling an in-season need at edge rusher, Snead sent a pair of mid-round draft picks to Jacksonville for former No. 3 overall selection Dante Fowler Jr.

Whereas a rebuilding team might have been content to promote promising second-year receiver Josh Reynolds as Sammy Watkins’ replacement opposite Robert Woods, Snead sent a first-round pick to the Patriots for field-stretching wideout Brandin Cooks. That gambit has paid off twofold, with Cooks on pace for a career year and Reynolds available for depth when slot receiver Cooper Kupp went down with a season-ending ACL injury. Snead’s aggressive recruiting has made Los Angeles a destination organization, standing toe-to-toe with New Orleans in the race for the NFC’s top playoff seed.

With my rose colored glasses on, I think that 5th is a bit low for Snead. He brought in 4 All-Pro caliber players - albeit while leaving some gaping holes on the roster in the process. With Talib finally back from his injury, Peters playing better, and Fowler settling in nicely..... Snead could easily climb this list as the season comes to a close.