Originally posted by Heroism:
Good read on how the Rams transitioned from trading away all their picks into building everything from the ground up.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6986145/2026/01/24/rams-nfc-championship-game-sean-mcvay-les-snead/?source=emp_shared_article
As 2023 began, Snead staked out Stafford, Kupp and Donald as the team's "weight-bearing walls," in his words, and the Rams began to offload the rest of the roster with especial focus on the defense. They took on a record $80 million in dead money, a decision so dramatic that Demoff had to release a letter to season ticket holders that explained the team's process and expressed his genuine optimism that the team could compete — a "we aren't tanking" manifesto, some in the organization now joke.
In April, still without a first-round pick, they drafted 14 rookies — including fifth-rounder Puka Nacua. The scouts went after players with three specific qualities: play speed (using GPS data from events such as the Senior Bowl or from players' universities instead of a 40-yard dash time), how they projected their bodies would develop and football IQ/character.
...
Armed with a first-round pick for the first time since 2016, the Rams drafted edge rusher Jared Verse at No. 19, then traded up in the second round to pair him with Florida State teammate Braden Fiske. Along with Kobie Turner and Byron Young, both 2023 third-round picks, the Rams' defensive line quickly became one of the best pass-rushing units in the NFL (and it certainly was the cheapest).
Sounds very similar to what we do and have done- with the exception of less head scratching picks. Feels like we have come up with two pairs or three of a kind while the Rams and Seahawks are getting full houses or four of a kind with their drafts.
