Should The Rams Make A Move For DeSean Jackson?

Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Rams fans everywhere have been assuming that if the Rams were to get an opportunity to draft a wide receiver such as Clemson’s Sammy Watkins or Texas A&M’s Mike Evans that they would pounce on that opportunity, especially given the fact that the Rams have two first round draft picks and they haven’t signed a wide receiver in free agency.

The thing that is forgotten however, is that these two players are unproven rookies that may or may not pan out. The chances of them being a superstar are just as good, or bad, as them turning out to be a bust.

Over the past week or two, a few of the league’s top players have hit the trade block. Some of the bigger names being cornerback Darrell Revis, wide receiver Steve Smith, and now, according to reports, the Eagles are shopping wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

It isn’t very common that one of the league’s best players hits the open market, let alone more than two in the same offseason. It was weird enough when Peyton Manning hit the free agent market, now it looks as if its becoming a trend.

As mentioned above, it isn’t common for a big name player to hit the open market let alone three that are all a position of need for the Rams. It is understandable that the Rams didn’t go after Revis, and it is understandable that the Rams didn’t go after Smith However, going after DeSean Jackson should strongly be considered.

It isn’t like Les Snead to give up draft picks in order to receive a player in return, but giving up picks in a situation like this should be at the very least thought over.

The Rams have struggled at the wide receiver position for the majority of the past decade, and at this point are desperate for that difference making receiver. There really hasn’t been much offensive excitement in St. Louis since the greatest show on turf.

Offense is the Rams weakest link at this point. It isn’t the defense that the Rams should be worried about, but the offense, and Jackson would add that spark. In fact the Rams haven’t finished in the top half of the league in total offense since 2006 when they finished sixth.

The Rams need help on offense and luckily have an extra first round pick, and most likely they will take a wide receiver with one of them anyway. Why not give up the 13th overall pick for him, or at the very least a second and a fourth round pick for one of the league’s superstar wide receivers?

The Rams haven’t had a 1,000 yard receiver since 2007, and they haven’t had a 700 yard receiver since 2008, both of which were done by Torry Holt and both of which are among the league’s longest droughts.

Jackson has had  over 1,000 yard receiving three times in his short career and has yet to have a year in which he had less than 700 yards. Jackson is only 27 and still has a lot of football left in him.

Top, premier level wide receivers are hard to come by, and when you are in a situation like the Rams in which you have struggled so much at the wide receiver position, you at least have to strongly consider making the move.

The Rams have approximately $9 million in cap space, which means affording Jackson would be awfully difficult, but if the New Orleans Saints can find a way to afford safety Jairus Byrd, the Rams can certainly find a way to afford DeSean Jackson.

This is a big prove it year for not only Sam Bradford, but Les Snead and Jeff Fisher as well. Back in 1999 the Rams traded a second a fifth round pick to acquire 27 year old running back Marshall Faulk, and that move has gone down as one took the Rams from worst to first.

If the Rams want to make the leap and get over the hump, a big move is necessary. They are going to have to stop playing it safe and make a bole move. There is no better time than the present, and there is no better time to win than right now.