Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It was a safe presumption that the LA Rams were very open to the possibility of trading back in the 2021 NFL Draft. The LA Rams entered with six picks, but the team’s past practices had indicated that number was simply not enough picks to address all of the team’s needs. So even with the first pick at 57, the LA Rams were vigilant shoppers. Throughout the draft, the team wanted to play more picks than dealt.
Of course, trades required two NFL teams. Typically, the team placing the call is the one who pays a premium or is the team that objectively gives up more to the other team. And with the LA Rams holding a hand of just six picks starting at the 57th pick of the draft, the random nature of the draft would be more of a factor as to how popular the Rams’ picks were in the trade market.
Luckily, this draft was less predictable than drafts of the past. Top draft picks fell frequently, while multiple less-regarded players were pulled off the draft board long before anyone expected them to be. Yes, the Rams were one of the teams who drafted in a way that clearly was not the same ranking as that of draft analysts or pundits.
Now the question is, how did the Rams do? Was the urgency of multiplying picks so great that the Rams left value on the table? The presumption in any transaction is that the two teams emerged with equivalent, if not equal, value. Is that what took place this year? Let’s take a look.