The Rams did okay, all things considered, in the 2022 draft
The Los Angeles Rams used their first three picks of the 2022 draft on winning the Super Bowl the previous season. After trading two first round picks for Matthew Stafford in 2021, then giving up their second and third round picks at midseason for Von Miller, the Rams didn’t make any picks in the 2022 draft until taking Logan Bruss at 104.
Despite that disadvantage, the Rams did okay for themselves thanks to a good day three. According to Sports Info Solutions in their re-grade of the 2022 draft class, L.A. still did better than four other teams, which isn’t too shabby considering that Les Snead didn’t pick in the top-100!
Bottom 5 Teams in Total Points:
28. Rams
29. Panthers
30. Raiders
31. Vikings
32. Dolphins
SIS ranked the Rams 31st right after the 2022 draft, so they have moved up the rankings even though Bruss was a “below-average” player who has failed to make an impact in the NFL.
After the Rams picked Bruss, they came back with Cobie Durant at pick 142, but then hit the jackpot with Kyren Williams at pick 164.
Three years later, Williams has more rushing yards than any other player in the 2022 class except for James Cook, and more touchdowns than any other player.
It is not unlike Les Snead to look for a starting running back on day two, but he found a good one in the fifth round.
The Rams then added Derion Kendrick and Quentin Lake in the sixth, with both players serving a starting role at one time or another. The seventh round gave depth (A.J. Arcuri, Daniel Hardy, Russ Yeast) but not much else.
When L.A. came back in 2023, again without a first round pick because of Stafford, Snead made 14 picks and has had arguably the most value of any GM in the NFL. That’s not including Stafford, even though we should include Stafford.
They made a big deal out of the Rams “All-In Push” in 2021. But is it All-In if you know how to play when your chips are down?