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Every NFL Draft pick Los Angeles Rams’ GM Les Snead has made dating back to 2012

With six full seasons under his belt, let’s take a closer look at how Les Snead has performed in the NFL Draft

NFL: International Series-NFL UK Live Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2018 NFL Draft is nearly upon us, NFL fans! And Thursday evening can’t get here soon enough.

For Los Angeles Rams’ fans, however, this year’s draft is going to be a bit of a waiting game. The Rams traded their first round pick (23) to the New England Patriots in return for WR Brandin Cooks. Their second round pick was shipped off to Buffalo last season, when they traded for now-Chiefs wideout Sammy Watkins.

So, as it stands, the Rams won’t make their first selection until the latter half of Day 2, when they’re on the clock with the 87th overall pick. That is, of course, if general manager Les Snead, who’s been known to shake things up on Draft day(s), is able to stay put.

Speaking of Les, let’s take a gander at how he’s done over the course of his career - dating back to 2012 - as general manager for the Rams. It’s certainly no easy task identifying future Hall-of-Famers and late round gems, but Les has done well at certain positions since taking the helm seven seasons ago. And at others...well, it’s pretty obvious there have been more misses than hits.

Here’s a closer look at the 52 players he’s drafted during his tenure with the Rams.

Les Snead’s Draft Picks Through 2017

Position Year Player Round Overall
Position Year Player Round Overall
QB 2016 Jared Goff 1 1
QB 2015 Sean Mannion 3 89
QB 2014 Garrett Gilbert 6 214
- - - - -
RB 2015 Todd Gurley 1 10
RB 2012 Isaiah Pead 2 50
RB 2014 Tre Mason 3 75
RB 2013 Zac Stacy 5 160
RB 2012 Daryl Richardson 7 252
- - - - -
FB 2016 Sam Rodgers 6 206
- - - - -
WR 2013 Tavon Austin 1 8
WR 2012 Brian Quick 2 33
WR 2017 Cooper Kupp 3 69
WR 2013 Stedman Bailey 3 92
WR 2012 Chris Givens 4 96
WR 2016 Pharoh Cooper 4 117
WR 2017 Josh Reynolds 4 117
WR 2016 Bud Sasser 6 201
WR 2015 Michael Thomas 6 206
- - - - -
TE 2017 Gerald Everett 2 44
TE 2016 Tyler Higbee 4 110
TE 2016 Temmarick Hemingway 6 177
- - - - -
OL 2014 Greg Robinson 1 2
OL 2015 Rob Havenstein 2 57
OL 2015 Jamon Brown 3 72
OL 2013 Barrett Jones 4 113
OL 2015 Andrew Donnal 4 119
OL 2012 Rokevious Watkins 5 150
OL 2015 Isaiah Battle 5 Supplemental
OL 2015 Cody Wichmann 6 215
OL 2014 Mitchell Van Dyk 7 226
OL 2014 Demetrius Rhaney 7 250
- - - - -
DL 2014 Aaron Donald 1 13
DL 2012 Michael Brockers 1 14
DL 2017 Tanzel Smart 6 189
DL 2015 Martin Ifedi 7 227
DL 2014 Michael Sam 7 249
- - - - -
LB 2013 Alec Ogletree 1 30
LB 2017 Samson Edukam 4 125
LB 2016 Josh Forrest 6 119
LB 2012 Aaron Brown 7 209
LB 2015 Bryce Hager 7 224
LB 2017 Ejuan Price 7 234
- - - - -
DB 2012 Janoris Jenkins 2 39
DB 2014 Lamarcus Joyner 2 41
DB 2012 Trumaine Johnson 3 65
DB 2013 T.J. McDonald 3 71
DB 2017 John Johnson III 3 91
DB 2014 Maurice Alexander 4 110
DB 2013 Brandon McGee 5 149
DB 2014 E.J. Gaines 6 188
DB 2014 Christian Bryant 7 241
- - - - -
K 2012 Greg Zuerlein 6 171

A few things to note:

  • The position targeted most in the draft has been offensive line (10). The positions drafted least were fullback and kicker (1). Go figure.
  • The second most targeted positions are wide receiver and defensive back, both of which have been selected 9 times. Ironically, this is where Les has done his best (DB) and most questionable (WR) work.
  • Les’ first round picks, in chronological order: Michael Brockers (2012), Tavon Austin (2013), Alec Ogletree (2013), Greg Robinson (2014), Aaron Donald (2014), Todd Gurley (2015), Jared Goff (2016).
  • If we lump fullback in with running backs, tight end and defensive back are the only two positions that have not been selected in the first round.
  • It’s fair to say Les’ biggest hit and miss occurred 11 picks apart in the same year. Greg Robinson, selected 2nd overall in 2014, was a bust. Aaron Donald, selected 13th that same year, is the best defensive player in football.
  • Players selected with the same overall pick: Tyler Higbee and Maurice Alexander (110), Pharoh Cooper and Josh Reynolds (117), Andrew Donnal and Josh Forrest (119), and Michael Thomas and Sam Rodgers (206).
  • Pick breakdown by round: First (7), Second (6), Third (8), Fourth (8), Fifth (4), Sixth (10), Seventh (9)