3 ways the LA Rams can come up with additional 2021 Draft picks

The LA Rams have just six draft picks heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. While that is not terrible, it’s rather disappointing when you consider that half of the projected draft picks for the Rams will likely be awarded compensatory picks. With that information in hand, the LA Rams have dealt away four of their seven pick allotment for the 2021 NFL Draft. That means that the Rams have retained their second-round, sixth-round, and seventh-round draft picks.

And If you know the past track record of the NFL Drafts in recent years, you can expect to see the following:

I – First of all, the top pick will be used to select a quarterback.
II – The next position taken will be an elite prospect edge rusher.
III –By the top ten picks, several quarterbacks will be off the board.

Of course, all of this is good news for the Rams, who are not expected to be shopping for their franchise quarterback in this draft. But the Rams do have plenty of positions to shop for in this draft for 2021, and even more critically, for the potential loss of free agents in 2022. Next year, the Rams will be hit hard with losses at the offensive line and linebacker. So timing is everything, and to be prepared for 2022, the Rams must be strategic in 2021.

Multiplying Rams draft picks

Of course, one way is to add additional draft picks and prepare the 2021 rookies for significant roles in 2022. There are three finite ways to do so in any given year.

Option I – Trade contracted player for pick(s). Right now, the LA Rams have a hefty number of players under contract for 2021, 63 to be exact. That means that the team is already more than their 53-man roster limit. So the Rams can either take offers for players who are perceived to be ‘on the bubble’ already or on the last year of their contract and convert those players into current year draft picks.

While the Rams are intent on winning, this strategy will reduce the strain on the current year salary cap, will convert players who will likely be gone within a year into draft picks, and create intense competition on the roster for starting and rotational roles.  The only restriction is finding another team willing to trade those picks and the assurance that the Rams will get meaningful value in return.