Identifying the Rams 1st round draft scenarios

The long awaited NFL fans ‘Christmas Day’ is 27 days away! There is never enough to say about the draft. In the past I had always had an idea of who I thought would be the pick for the Rams or who I wanted. This year however I feel like there is no single scenario which is why I feel this draft needs to be broken down. Looking at the clear need here for the Los Angeles Rams is a quarterback. Not just any quarterback, a FRANCHISE quarterback.

Big names such as Carson Wentz of the FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, Jared Goff of the University of California, Paxton Lynch of the University of Memphis and Connor Cook from Michigan State University have been linked to the Rams all off-season long.

The Rams have many options though at other positions as well and it is imperative that General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Jeff Fisher get it right in year 4. With that being said lets dive right into the scenarios

Stay at #15 Overall and draft the best available quarterback – This would most likely be Paxton Lynch seeing as it would be pretty hard for Carson Wentz to get by Cleveland at #2 and Jared Goff to pass by the 49ers, Eagles, and Bears without one of them pulling the trigger. Paxton Lynch at 6’7 244 pounds has ideal size for the next level but is very raw. He has the arm talent and mobility to be a nightmare for defenses if he develops properly. This however might mean Case Keenum starts day one and many people including I do not want that.

Stay at #15 Overall and draft the best available player – Like Aaron Donald a couple years back the Rams in this scenario would go best available. Who would that leave the Rams with? Well if you know Jeff Fisher and how he works it would probably mean a defensive lineman. Aaron Donald we all know does not need to be replaced as he is arguably the best defensive lineman in the league, but Michael Brockers who has been very reliable would be a free agent next year if the Rams didn’t pick up his option. Now with Nick Fairley signing away with the New Orleans Saints that could give Jeff Fisher ammunition to want to snag a defensive tackle. That would probably be between A’Shawn Robinson from the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide, Sheldon Rankins who has been compared to the likes of Aaron Donald out of Louisville, and Andrew Billings the violent mauler from Baylor. The best overall player here could also be a cornerback too who the Rams don’t necessarily need now even though they let their former 2nd round pick Janoris Jenkins walk in free agency, but could possibly use with a rising star franchise corner in Trumaine Johnson next to a rookie who missed all of his sophomore year due to an injury E.J. Gaines. That corner could be one of the three Eli Apple of Ohio State, William Jackson out of the Houston, and Mackensie Alexander out Clemson.

Stay at #15 Overall and draft Josh Doctson – Yeah I know you expected to hear LaQuon Treadwell. Well how about the fact Doctson’s stock has skyrocketed due to a great combine and pro day while Treadwell’s seems to be free falling. It’s weird because Treadwell is labeled as the biggest WR of the draft by fans which isn’t true at all. Josh Doctson is actually the same height as him at 6’2 and is only 19 pounds less. The reason behind Josh Doctson is because the Rams need a red zone target who is reliable. Doctson has some smooth hands that’s for sure. Don’t believe me? CFBFilmroom.com has the perfect evidence to back Doctson. NFL Draft WR

Trade the #15th pick to move up to #1 and select Carson Wentz – Trading the package away that the Rams basically got in return for the Robert Griffin III trade would almost seem stupid seeing how the RG3 trade went. I do think however that the Rams have assets to give up to get to #1 and still have a decent draft. My thing is if you want to trade up to #1 you better have an idea first off that you know what you are doing. Also you need to be in love with the prospect you are basically betting your job on. We have seen many times these draft day trades go wrong and then you start to see the backlash of it. This however seems to make sense because of the Nick Foles trade the Rams acquired an extra 2nd round pick in which could be used to move up and give up a little less. Why Carson Wentz? He has looked the best for his position during this pre-draft time. He shined in Mobile then he didn’t leave any doubt on the field at the combine or his pro day. The Rams need a future quarterback badly. Some say they are just a QB away and if that’s the case then maybe the 6’5 237 pounder Carson Wentz is the guy here.

Trade the #15th pick to move up to #6 and select Jared Goff – This is a very realistic move while the Carson Wentz one seems more unlikely the Rams give up the farm to snag their guy. The Rams would be able to give up a lot less for a QB that is just a step behind Wentz at the most if even. Goff has the tools to be a superstar. He has good size 6’4 although he may need to bulk up his 215 pounds. He has good arm talent and great pocket awareness. Just like Wentz I believe Goff would start day one. The California QB would also be very comfortable in LA.

Trade down and acquire a third 2nd round pick – Lastly a scenario in the 1st round the Rams could trade down if they don’t like the value they would be getting. Maybe the Rams trade down and get Paxton Lynch later on or they grab LaQuon Treadwell who’s stock has fallen tremendously or maybe Braxton Miller the high riser who could squeak into the 1st round. If Doctson and Lynch are gone at 15 I think this is the best scenario to get the Rams loaded with the picks in the 2nd round and give them options to play with.

The Rams have many ways they can go this draft and don’t expect it to be a boring one either. In all of Fisher and Snead’s drafts during their tenure with the Rams they have always had a draft day trade or two and I don’t expect that to change this year!