3:13pm: The Rams have a target in mind, but Russini adds they are not pursuing a quarterback in Round 1. A Rams QB move could come later, though the team has seen 2023 fifth-rounder Stetson Bennett re-emerge after spending his rookie year on the NFI list. Bennett is stationed behind Stafford and UFA pickup Jimmy Garoppolo.
1:00pm: Known for a near-decade-long stretch of moving off first-round picks, the Rams hold their own selection heading into the draft. They are trying to make a deal to move up.
Mentioned Wednesday as a team that is likely interested in coming up the board, the Rams appear to indeed be intrigued by the prospect of such a move. Sean McVay‘s team is contacting teams with an aim to climb into the top 10, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets.
It would be surprising if the Rams were a team interested in trading up for a quarterback, and it is interesting to see a non-QB-seeking (presumably) team linked to a trade into the top 10. The Cardinals and Chargers have made it known they are interested in moving down, but a climb into the top five may be unrealistic for the Rams, who sit at No. 19. The Titans, at No. 7, have been mentioned as a team open to sliding down the board. But Tennessee, closely linked to tackles, will probably want to see how the board looks before serious considering dealing its top choice.
The Rams have major holes on defense. They saw arguably the best defensive tackle in NFL history retire after an All-Pro season. Aaron Donald elevated the Rams’ defense for a decade, and the team’s edge rushers — from Leonard Floyd to Von Miller to Dante Fowler — benefited from the all-time great’s presence inside. The Rams also need help on the edge, being rumored to be targeting OLB help earlier this offseason.
Los Angeles holds the Nos. 52, 83 and 99 selections on Day 2, the latter coming after the Falcons hired Raheem Morris as their head coach. Given Morris’ ties to the Rams, it would not surprise if Falcons-Rams talks took place today. Also linked to defensive players — in a top 10 expected to be heavy on offense — Atlanta holds the No. 8 overall pick.
The Bears have No. 9, and with only four picks in the draft, Chicago makes sense as a trade-down team. Though, the team also has been tied to wanting a skill-position or edge-rushing upgrade at 9. An early-April report suggested the Jets were hoping a team makes them a good offer for No. 10, but with Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh on hot seats, staying at 10 and adding another weapon for Aaron Rodgers is also firmly in play.
A quarterback move perhaps should be entirely ruled out; Matthew Stafford is going into his age-36 season and battled injuries throughout 2022. The veteran has played through significant injury trouble in Detroit and Los Angeles. A Rams-Bo Nix connection surfaced recently, via Rams GM Les Snead being at Auburn with Bo’s father (Patrick Nix) was playing QB for the Tigers, though the Oregon alum is not viewed as worthy of a top-10 pick. That said, Nix has been linked to the Vikings (No. 11) and Broncos (No. 12). It would be fascinating to learn the Rams were targeting one of this draft’s higher-profile arms.
The team certainly is not shy about dealing future first-round picks for assets, but given the team needs on defense, it would be risky for the team — even with its penchant for finding quality defenders on Days 2 and 3 — to eschew major needs for down-the-road help. Stafford’s $40MM-per-year extension runs through 2026. The Rams crashing the party as a Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr. suitor would inject more intrigue into a draft teeming with trade-up buzz.