Since returning to Los Angeles, the Rams have been known for trading first-round picks for veteran talent. However, this year they decided to use their allotted selection on a college player, Florida State’s Jared Verse, at No. 19. Prior to this, there were reports of the team attempting to move into the top 10.
Before the draft, it was reported that the Rams were interested in moving into the top 10, with Georgia’s Brock Bowers being their target. The Rams have had injuries to their tight ends, with Tyler Higbee recovering from an ACL tear and Hunter Long from MCL surgery. Although they signed Colby Parkinson in free agency, acquiring Bowers would have added a significant presence to Sean McVay‘s offense.
The Rams attempted to trade up with the Jets, but the Jets were not interested in trading down from their No. 10 pick. The Rams offered Nos. 19 and 52 to the Jets for No. 10, but the Jets declined. This move would have potentially impacted the Jets’ ability to draft Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11.
Fashanu joined the Jets after the Bears selected Rome Odunze, and the Jets traded with the Vikings to secure the tackle. Meanwhile, Verse will be teaming up with Braden Fiske in the Rams’ defense as they look to fill the void left by the retired Aaron Donald.
Despite attempts to trade up, the Rams were unable to secure Brock Bowers, as other teams made strategic picks. The Raiders, for example, selected Michael Mayer as the top tight end in the draft after six quarterbacks were taken off the board.
