The restrictions placed by the NFL in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced the league to take unprecedented action by having a virtual 2020 NFL Draft where teams are picking from remote locations.
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have acknowledged that while it is quite a significant change, the biggest adjustment has come from an IT standpoint. As a result, the pair do not plan on being any less aggressive than they normally are.
This includes the possibility of pulling the trigger on a potential deal to move back or even trade up to take a player they are targeting. Whatever the case, the Rams are confident they have prepared for it.
Snead feels Los Angeles will simply have to take extra precautions when it comes to pulling off a deal, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“I think if we do make a trade, as Sean mentioned earlier, that’s definitely a possibility, at that point, it’ll probably be a little different than just on the phone, just walking through it,” Snead said. “Maybe we’ll be a little more careful to make sure all parties are onboard and in the know, so we can execute a trade without a glitch.”
McVay added that they should have ample time to work something out on the fly is the situation occurs:
“I think there’s enough time in between picks,” McVay said. “The NFL has done a great job of communicating and understanding and (giving) some flexibility if some of those things do arise.”
The Rams are without a pick in the first round once again for the fourth year in a row after trading it in the deal for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Fortunately, the extra day of preparation should allow them to re-examine the board while the NFL works out any of the kinks it may experience during the virtual draft on the first day.
The bulk of the work for McVay and Snead will come on Day 2 with four total picks in the second and third rounds combined. These rounds have become a gold mine for the Rams in recent years and they will need to find a way to make it happen once again if they hope to fill the number of notable voids left on their roster from free agency.
The Rams will have three picks left on the final day of action before officially preparing to usher in a new era at SoFi Stadium for the 2020 NFL season.
