The Rams have immediate needs, but with the retirement of Aaron Donald, they could decide to take a longer-term strategy to get back to the Super Bowl.
Rams general manager Les Snead, pictured in 2021, said Wednesday he was ready for the season to get real. Stop me if you’ve heard this already: For the first time since 2016, the Rams are poised to use a first-round pick in the NFL draft.in the first round of the playoffs. With pick No. 19 on Thursday, in addition to No. 52 in the second round and Nos. 83 and 99 in the third on Friday, the Rams have the opportunity to add to the young core that made the surprise postseason appearance in 2023.
But it’s fair to question whether the Rams are ready to take the next step as potential Super Bowl contenders following the retirement of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald. If they’re not ready, that might provide merit to the idea of spending some of those first four picks on positions that are fortified in 2024 – say, offensive tackle or even quarterback – but might need fresh blood in 2025 and 2026.
An ideal potential fit would be Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, though the Rams may have to trade up to get him. During Tuesday’s press conference, Snead kept open the possibility of moving up or down from 19, as he has all offseason. They could take the same tact at quarterback. Matthew Stafford looked like his vintage self in the second half of the season, but is 36 with no guaranteed money on his deal following 2024. The Rams could have an opportunity to move up in the second round to grab Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. to be the heir apparent.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rams News: Former NFL GM Compares Draft-Hopeful DT To Aaron DonaldFormer NFL GM compares defensive tackle prospect to retired Los Angeles Ram Aaron Donald.
Read more »
NFL draft: How might the Rams replenish their defense?The Rams, with the 19th pick in Thursday’s NFL draft, have to reimagine their defense with the retirement last month of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald
Read more »
NFL draft rewind: 10 years since the Rams picked Aaron DonaldThere was skepticism surrounding Donald's size, but the people in the Rams' draft room knew what they had in the pass-rusher out of Pitt.
Read more »
Are the Rams in the Market for a QB Heading Into the NFL Draft?The Rams could be looking for a quarterback in this year's NFL Draft.
Read more »
How the 49ers Stack Up with the Rams Heading into the NFL DraftAnalyzing how the San Francisco 49ers stack up with the Los Angeles Rams heading into the NFL Draft.
Read more »
These 5 players are best fits for the Rams in the 2024 NFL DraftShould the Rams target an Aaron Donald replacement? Or will they add to the secondary? Here are the best potential draft fits for Los Angeles.
Read more »