Rams Have No Interest In Jadeveon Clowney?

Aug 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; General view of a St. Louis Rams helmet with the heads up logo during the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field .The Broncos defeated the Rams 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

When drafting the philosophy of many teams in to draft the best player available over talent and even more so, a combination of the two. For the St. Louis Rams the only players that fit both of those at number two overall is Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson and Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews.

According to a report by the Boston Globe, if South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney were sitting at number two for the taking, the Rams would look to trade back.

"And if the Texans skip over Clowney, there could be a major derby for the No. 2 pick, as the Rams already have significant investments in the defensive line and would like to trade back for a package of picks like they did with the choice that became Robert Griffin III two years ago."

Clowney has been said to be the best prospect in the draft in terms of talent and potential. The only problem for the Rams is that with defensive ends Chris Long and should be defensive player of the year, Robert Quinn, there is no need for a top defensive end.

A team can never have too many pass rushers, but you don’t spend the number two overall pick on a guy that you only plan on using on a rotational basis.

"“We’ve proven in the last (two) years we can get pressure on the quarterback specifically with a four-man rush,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “And we’ve gotten pressure and effective rush from our backups. You can’t get enough guys that can (rush).”“For example, we lost Will for a couple of weeks with an MCL and our numbers went down because Chris was playing more plays,” Fisher said. “So the more guys you’ve got up front, the better you are.”"

One potential partner for that situation is the Atlanta Falcons. Earlier this week Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff stated that the Falcons are interested in trading up from the number six overall pick.

It is almost a common knowledge at this point that the St. Louis Rams are looking to trade out of the number two overall pick and move back. The only question that remains is with who and in what scenario?

In order to trade back you need a team that is willing to trade up and visa versa. Luckily for the Rams the interest to trade up is there. The Browns have expressed interest in trading up, especially for quarterback Johnny Manziel, and the Falcons have also expressed interest in trading up for one of the offensive lineman or defensive end Jedeveon Clowney.

In 2011, the Falcons traded up from 27 overall to number six overall to go get wide receiver Julio Jones. Demitroff is not afraid to move up to get his guy and this year it could be Matthews, Robinson, or Clowney.

The Falcons need help on the offensive line to keep Matt Ryan upright as well as a pass rusher.  Clowney is open to the idea of going to a good team right away, specifically Atlanta. In an interview with ESPN.com, Clowney said,

"“I wish they could trade up for me, but I hope I don’t fall to No. 6. I like Atlanta — a lot. They’re pretty good. They’ve got some guys from South Carolina on the team, also. And it’s close to home.”"

With the relationship with Snead and Demitroff in Atlanta, a trade between the two teams would make perfect sense. In fact the two team’s pulled of trades together last season when the Rams traded back from 22 to 30 where they eventually landed linebacker Alec Ogletree and the Falcons got cornerback Desmond Trufant.

Certainly the Rams will be making and receiving a lot of calls on draft day, especially if the Texans pass on Clowney. The Cleveland Browns have expressed interest intruding up for quarterback Johnny Manziel and if reports are true that the Texans would take quarterback Blake Bortles at number one overall, teams would certainly be calling to take quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Without a doubt the Rams will have a lot of options to consider come draft day, and it looks more and more like the Rams will be able to trade down. The only question that remain is with who, and how much are they willing to give the Rams?