How many picks are the right number for the LA Rams in this draft?

If the LA Rams will not be adding picks to their ammunition box via trading a player, then they are stuck with six picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Making matters worse, those picks do not begin until the 57th pick of the draft. So the problem is, how many picks do the Rams need in the 2021 NFL Draft to select an ample number of rookie prospects? With a reported number of contracted players at 67, the Rams must fill 23 roster spots.

23 roster spots is a pretty daunting task if taken all at once.  Of course, some will be drafted. Others will be signed after the draft. In 2020, the Rams entered the draft with seven picks and emerged with nine rookies. If you recall the Rams traded with the Houston Texans in the fourth round. In exchange for their 126th pick, the Rams netted picks 136 (4th round), 248, and 250 overall (7th round).

That felt like a good number. What would the Rams need to trade to get a similar number of picks? Well, there’s the hitch. Because the Rams did not perform as well in 2019, their 2020 draft picks centered upon the 20th pick of each round. They enjoyed the slot that the Chicago Bears enjoys in the 2021 NFL Draft.  The Rams currently have draft picks that fall on the 25th pick of each round.

Trading back from either picks 57, 88, or 103 should net the Rams three valuable picks in this draft. Any later and the picks would not be worth trading for.  So, the LA Rams will likely be doing any worthwhile trades in this draft on Friday, April 30th.

In the best-case scenario, the LA Rams would land a round-one graded prospect at the 57th pick. Then at 88, the Rams would be able to trade their 88th pick for a package of picks that would net the Rams a later third-round pick, and fourth-round pick, and a fifth-round pick. Eight selections in the 2021 NFL Draft feel like the right number. That would commit the Rams to 15 undrafted free agent signings after the draft is over.