Jaguars to interview Rams scouting consultant Ray Farmer for GM role

The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking for a new general manager and a new head coach to lead them towards — and many years beyond — the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. One of their first stops will be in the front office of the Los Angeles Rams: the Jaguars plan to interview Rams scouting consultant Ray Farmer for their opening at GM.

It’s hard to say how important of a role that Farmer plays in LA’s scouting department. He is one of three scouting consultants amid a large roster of front office personnel. The Rams actually considered Farmer for their GM opening in 2012, when they ultimately ended up hiring Les Snead. In fact, Snead hired Farmer for his first NFL position with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002.

“Hiring Ray is one of the easiest and best decisions I’ve ever made,” Snead said in 2014 when Farmer was promoted to GM of the Cleveland Browns.

Farmer presided over the Browns’ drafts in 2014 and 2015 and he allowed new head coach Mike Pettine to influence Cleveland’s first pick in his first draft: cornerback Justin Gilbert with the eighth overall selection. The Browns originally had the fourth pick in the draft, meaning that they passed on Khalil Mack, Jake Matthews, Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans. Then when they traded down, they passed on Aaron Donald, Odell Beckham, Anthony Barr and others.

With his other first round pick in 2014, Farmer selected quarterback Johnny Manziel over quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. Farmer blamed the Manziel pick on a collective failure by the front office. He did select Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio with the 35th overall pick.

With two first rounders again in 2015, Farmer selected nose tackle Danny Shelton and center Cam Erving.

Farmer was suspended for four games in 2015 for texting coaches on the sidelines during games to play Manziel.