Leading up to the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, reports started surfacing that the Los Angeles Rams were making calls looking to move up from 19th overall.
The Rams have not selected in the first round since 2019, so naturally, general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay were getting antsy trying to get into the top 10 with one specific prospect in mind.
Considering the Rams met with Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze at the combine and reports indicated that they were enamored with him, many assumed that is who they were looking to trade up for.
As it turns out though, it was actually Georgia tight end Brock Bowers that the Rams were looking to move up for, via Peter Schrager of Fox Sports and NFL Network:
The Rams had an offensive player they had their eyes on through the entire process: Brock Bowers
When he went off the board, their decision got a lot easier. They are thrilled with Jared Verse at 19. @gmfb pic.twitter.com/mf488L4na3
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 26, 2024
Bowers actually did slide in the first round a bit before the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the 13th overall pick. While trading up from 19 to 13 would have been more feasible than into the top 10, the Rams ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it and stood pat at 19.
With that pick, L.A. looked to the other side of the ball, improving their pass rush by selecting Florida State edge Jared Verse. Outside linebacker was the Rams’ biggest need going into the draft and they were able to address that with their first pick as opposed to adding to an already strong offensive unit they have in place.
Considering Tyler Higbee injured his knee in the Rams’ postseason game though and could miss some of this season, the team’s interest in Bower is not surprising. He is a do-everything weapon that McVay certainly would have had a lot of fun scheming up plays for.
With the Rams owning 10 other picks though, perhaps they circle back to tight end in the later rounds if they are not satisfied with the group they already have in place.
Sean McVay excited about Rams drafting Jared Verse
Considering McVay is an offensive-minded head coach, many expected the Rams to select an offensive player like Bowers with their first-round pick. They ultimately went defense with Verse though, and McVay couldn’t help but express his excitement to add a physical pass rusher to the organization.
