The Los Angeles Rams currently hold seven picks in the 2019 NFL draft. They don’t have a second-rounder after trading for Marcus Peters, but they do have two picks in the third and one in every other round. Their first selection comes at No. 31 overall, but knowing Les Snead, it’s entirely possible they’ll deal that pick away.
If the Rams do trade down from that selection, who might be interested in coming up from the second round? There are a handful of teams seeking quarterbacks that might want to secure the fifth-year option that comes with a first-round pick, including the Broncos and Giants.
Of course, teams have to be willing to give up mid-to-late-round picks in order to move up, which not every front office wants to do. Snead’s phone will undoubtedly be ringing on draft night later this month, potentially with these seven teams on the other line.
Here are seven trade-back partners for the Rams, including what each deal would look like.
New York Giants
Giants receive: No. 31
Rams receive: No. 37 and 108 (4th)
The Giants already have two first-round picks, but what if they want to add a third? It’s not completely out of the question. If they don’t add a quarterback at No. 6 or 17, they could eye a passer at 31st overall and make a deal with the Rams.
Or, after taking a quarterback with one of their two first-round picks, they could try to bolster a defense that was dismantled by the losses of Landon Collins, Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison in the last year.
For the Rams, moving back six spots would net them an additional fourth-rounder, giving them two in the third and two in the fourth.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucs receive: No. 31 and 203 (6th)
Rams receive: No. 39, 107 (4th), 208 (6th) and 215 (7th)
The Buccaneers need a safety and they’re not going to take one at No. 5. If Nasir Adderly or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson are available when the Rams go on the clock, Tampa Bay could jump up to grab one.
It would cost the Bucs a fourth- and seventh-round pick, as well as a pick-swap in Round 6, but they’d also get the fifth-year option with whoever they’d select at No. 31. Depending on how the board falls, the Rams could still get great value with the No. 39 overall pick, potentially landing an impact defender or offensive lineman.
Denver Broncos
Broncos receive: No. 31
Rams receive: No. 41, 125 (4th), 148 (5th) and 156 (5th)
Despite adding Joe Flacco, the Broncos need a long-term quarterback. It’s possible they’ll select one at 10th overall, but that selection could also be used on an offensive lineman or linebacker. Moving up for a quarterback at the end of the first round the way the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson and the Vikings did with Teddy Bridgewater would give Denver the always-valuable fifth-year option.
This is a slightly bigger slide for the Rams, but they also pick up three mid-round picks, which they could then use to move back up later on. The worry with this trade is that teams between No. 32 and 40 will select offensive or defensive linemen, which the Rams will likely target.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals receive: No. 31 and 251 (7th)
Rams receive: No. 42, 110 (4th), 149 (5th) and 183 (6th)
The same argument for the Broncos applies to Cincinnati. The Bengals don’t need a quarterback right now, but they’re undoubtedly looking toward the future with Zac Taylor at the helm. The Rams essentially get a fourth- and fifth-round, while also moving up from the seventh to the sixth round.
The Rams would likely still be able to get a Day 1 starter at 42nd overall, be it at safety or elsewhere. The second round is the sweet spot for safeties, making this a good range for a trade back.
Washington Redskins
Redskins receive: No. 31 and 203 (6th)
Rams receive: No. 46, 96 (3rd) 153 (5th), 173 (5th) and 227 (7th)
Washington has two third-rounders, which makes this trade a bit easier to swing. In this scenario, the Redskins would have the 15th and 31st overall picks, allowing them to add a quarterback and potentially a wide receiver in Round 1.
The Rams have to move back 15 spots in this situation, but they stack up the mid-round picks by adding a third and two fifth-rounders. That would give them three third-rounders – all between No. 94 and 99 – and three fifth-rounders.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receive: No. 31
Rams receive: No. 52, 83 (3rd) and 122 (4th)
The Steelers own two third-rounders and only have to give up one of them in this trade proposal, which makes it a feasible deal for them to make. They desperately need help at inside linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher, so whichever spot they address at No. 20, they could fill one of the other needs with a first-round talent at 31st overall. For instance, if they land Devin Bush at No. 20, they might be able to pick up Greedy Williams or Deandre Baker with the Rams’ pick.
Los Angeles could see some serious talent come off the board between No. 31 and 52, so this is a riskier proposition.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs receive: No. 31 and 251 (7th)
Rams receive: No. 61, 63 (2nd) 167 (5th) and 201 (6th)
This is where things get interesting. It’s hard to imagine the Chiefs trading up from No. 61 to 31, but they have the ammo to make it happen without even giving up their first-rounder in 2020. Giving up two second-rounders and a late-round pick – as well as a pick-swap later on – for an additional first-round pick truly isn’t a huge price to pay.
For the Rams, they wouldn’t have a pick until 61st overall, but they would also have four selections between 61 and 99 in this scenario. It’s unlikely to happen, but it’s fun to think about.
