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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)