As with any sport, a team’s identity is forged from the draft. Input comes from all corners of an organization and making the best pick does not always work out.
The NFL Draft is no exception. For players and their families, the draft is a once in a life time moment that will never be forgotten. On the other side of the equation, a team’s draft room is hectic and crazy.
During the 2019 Draft, the Los Angeles Rams were one of the most active teams. After trading up and down then back up again, the Rams ended up with six of their eight picks coming from other teams. They also did not pick in the first round for the second straight year.
The Rams had a game plan from the beginning and knew who they wanted. After the almost ceremonial first round, Rams general manager Les Snead described how hectic the organization’s draft room was during the second round, via Myles Simmons of TheRams.com:
“What I do know about this — things happen a little quicker this round than they do last night,” Snead said. “So you get a lot of calls, it’s fast and furious. So looking forward to analyzing what happens when we get to around pick 45, and then seeing if there’s an opportunity to move back and acquire more shots at the basket in the top 100.”
That strategy worked out for Snead as the Rams were one of a handful of teams with four top-100 draft picks. Of all the trades that resulted in the Rams picks, at least one failed trade is behind each.
Many members of the Rams organization fielded potential trade calls, pitching them to Snead and head coach Sean McVay. Although most approvals needed to come from Snead and McVay, the duo also made sure to bring in specific coaches for specific picks.
