While no trades have been announced yet, the hours leading up to the start of the 2024 NFL Draft could get very interesting. Many teams have already been rumored to want to trade up into the top five to land one of the better quarterback prospects this class has to offer. However, a new surprising team is attempting a leap into the top 10.
The Rams, who haven’t picked in the first round since 2016, are calling to get into the top 10, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 25, 2024
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Los Angeles Rams are attempting to leap their way into the top 10. This is surprising considering the team has its first first-round pick since 2016, and they are selecting at the No.19 overall position. Many mock drafts have them selecting Laiatu Latu, a edge rusher from UCLA.
Longtime Rams reporter Jourdan Rodrigue also shed more light on the team’s plan to move from their No. 19 overall pick.
More on this, per sources…from what I’ve gathered so far this morning, Rams are checking prices on a number of different possible moves – up into the top 10, and down.
To me, staying at 19 would be surprising. https://t.co/BSFOHY2nNz
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 25, 2024
It could be that the Rams don’t believe Latu will be there at No. 19 overall, or they are attempting an aggressive move to secure another defensive standout like defensive tackle Byron Murphy II out of Texas, or defensive end Dallas Turner out of Alabama.
Curiously, the Rams want to make their way into the top 10 after they gave up many picks on their way to securing a Super Bowl victory in the 2021 season. Their “win now” mentality did work out, but it also cost the team a 5-12 record in the following 2022 season.
One would think they would be a bit less aggressive and conscious of their draft picks now, so they can build out their team a bit more. However, in what was supposed to be another “rebuild” year, the Rams went 10-7 and enjoyed a playoff berth in the 2023 season.
This was made possible by an incredible breakout year for second-year running back Kyren Williams and rookie Puca Nacua. The Rams might believe they are a few pieces away from being highly relevant in the NFC and want to leap into the top 10 for another proposed playmaker.
Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Leaping into the top 10 could mean the Rams draft someone like tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia, or even wide receiver Rome Odunze from Washington. There are plenty of potential day-one starters in the first round, but it appears the Rams want to ensure they land a high-level playmaker.
They might also be angling to land a quarterback, like many other teams are. Matthew Stafford has a good year, but his age (36) might force the Rams to consider the future of their position in this draft. The Rams also signed Jimmy Garoppolo as a backup, but he is suspended and has also dealt with plenty of injury issues.
The Rams could leap into the top 10 to take someone like Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. While their selection of a quarterback might sound dubious, the team would be smart to start thinking about their future at the signal caller position.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.