The Los Angeles Rams have played this offseason relatively slow, only signing proven veterans and one of their own free agents. That strategy seems to contradict the flurry of aggressive moves the Rams made last offseason, but don’t let that fool you into thinking Les Snead will sit back and relax during draft weekend.
It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising to see the Rams make some sort of trade on the first night of the draft, either up or down. It’s more likely that they’ll trade down, considering they don’t have a second-round pick, but don’t rule out the Rams moving up to grab a player they covet.
Trading up will be difficult without a second-round pick, as it’ll cost Los Angeles at least a third-round pick in 2019 or a second in 2020, but depending on the distance, it’s certainly possible.
After outlining potential trade-back targets, here are five players the Rams could eye if they trade up in Round 1.
Florida State EDGE Brian Burns
Few players have risen up draft boards more than Burns the last two months. He went from being a late first-rounder to potentially being taken as early as the top 10. Obviously if he goes in the first 10 or 15 picks, the Rams won’t have the ammo to move up, but say he slips to No. 20 or 25. Snead would have to strongly consider moving up for Burns, securing a dynamic pass rusher for the next five years.
Burns has the potential to be an elite outside linebacker with his pass-rushing skills and ability to drop into coverage when needed, which makes him very valuable in a 3-4 defense. He just might be worth trading a 2020 second-round pick to move up and select if he falls into the 20s.
Notre Dame DL Jerry Tillery
Tillery could be available for the Rams at No. 31, so it’s possible they won’t have to trade up at all to land him. However, if they’re truly enamored by his game and feel he’s a perfect fit at defensive end – which some believe he is – moving up a few spots to secure Tillery might be worthwhile. Jumping in front of the Raiders at No. 27 by trading up with the Colts (26) would cost the Rams the No. 99 overall pick, for example.
Some might say that’s not a deal worth making, but if Tillery were to slide even further to No. 28, the Rams could jump the Chiefs by giving the Chargers their fourth-round pick and maybe another late-rounder. Is that a deal worth making for the Rams? That depends how much they value Tillery.
Michigan LB Devin Bush
Bush is viewed as the second-best linebacker in the draft behind Devin White out of LSU, which makes a draft day slide relatively unlikely. At this point, he may not get past the Steelers at No. 20. If the Rams don’t feel comfortable with Micah Kiser replacing Mark Barron – and they may not after admitting they wanted to bring Barron back – Bush would be a phenomenal addition.
Getting in front of the Steelers would require the Rams to give up a their 2020 second-round pick, and maybe more. But if Bush falls into the mid-20s, it would cost around a 2019 third-rounder to move up.
Bush is a stout run defender despite being on the smaller size, and his athleticism is off the charts. Wade Phillips doesn’t covet elite linebackers for his scheme, but Bush has a chance to be special.
Clemson EDGE Clelin Ferrell
Ferrell is among the best pass rushers in the class, but he’s not on the level of Nick Bosa, Josh Allen or Montez Sweat. He’s more in the range of Rashan Gary and Burns, but because he isn’t an elite athlete, he could slide on draft night. He’s not someone the Rams should move into the top 20 for, but in the event that he falls to the mid-20s, they’d have to at least think about trading up.
Ferrell had a very successful career at Clemson with 27 sacks and 50.5 tackles for loss, proving to be a good run defender on the defensive line. That aspect of his game would be a huge boost for the Rams, even if he’s not a perfect fit at outside linebacker due to his average athleticism.
Oklahoma OL Cody Ford
The Texans are probably Ford’s floor at No. 23, so any chance of the Rams landing him will likely involve moving up to at least 22nd overall. From a value perspective, Ford is a quality first-round prospect who can play guard and tackle. With the Rams having a hole at left guard (likely to be filled by Joseph Noteboom) and left tackle in 2020 if Andrew Whitworth retires, Ford would be a valuable asset up front at either spot.
Ford is a powerful run blocker and still has the technique and movement skills to play tackle, making him one of the best offensive line prospects in the class. The problem is getting in front of the Texans as it would cost the Rams a third- and fourth-round pick, at the very least. That may be too costly for Snead, but with not many major holes on the roster, perhaps he considers it to secure the team’s future left tackle.
