NFL Trade Deadline will determine if LA Rams are a win-now or win-tomorrow team

So far, all is quiet with the LA Rams as the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline draws near. There are no blockbuster trades on the horizon. There are no signs of Rams GM frantically working the phones to pick up a key piece to put this team over the hump of postseason competition. In fact, all signs lead to the team being quite satisfied with where they are at right now.

Of course, the team continues to pursue a palatable trade of veteran defensive back Tre'Davious White to a contender. And that was confirmed by Rams HC Sean McVay:

The depth of the Rams roster feels about right. For every duplicitous player on the team who might be considered an option to surrender at the trade deadline, there is an injured or shallow roster depth that demands the team hold onto that player. And so, there is no motivation for the Rams to allow anyone on the team to compete elsewhere.

So what about inbound players? Surely a 4-4 team has holes on the roster, some challenges at less-productive players who could benefit from better competition? Once again, I don't know that I see that happening either. In the past two seasons, the Rams have hit grand slams with their rookie draft classes, while their experience at adding key veterans has been less positive.

Win now, or win tomorrow?

In the days leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, many NFL analysts view the LA Rams as a team that would be net sellers. It did not require a significant level of insight into the organization to make that type of speculation. Other teams with a 1-4 record at the time had already begun to surrender today's competitiveness for the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

And yet, the Rams defied that tradition.

So the likelihood of the Rams caving into the pressures of parting ways with key contributors was remote from the get-go. But the team may have had ulterior motives. Crazy like a fox is a term used to describe a strategy that appears quite foolish, but turns out to be extremely clever. So, is it possible that the Rams front office leaked the news of potentially trading away key veterans to light a fire under their seats?

Whether deliberate or accidental, the strategy worked.

But are the Rams in a position to go all-in for the 2024 NFL season? I don't know that is the case either. Unlike 2021, the Rams have a new defensive coordinator, a young special team's coordinator, and a very young roster that needs time to gain experience and learn how to compete as a group.

So does it make any sense to add a veteran to a team that is only now learning how to string wins together? While there is plenty of speculation over specific players, I don't see the Rasm making a lavish investment in winning now mode either. The coaching staff is still forming the image of what that next NFL Championship team will look like.

And then there is the matter of young players shocking the team with their production. Like Day 3 rookie center Beaux Limmer, or undrafted LB Omar Speights or defensive back Jaylen McCollough.

Ultimately, I see the team standing pat at the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline. The Rams are far too good at drafting right now to surrender picks for players. And the team has worked hard to make this roster affordable into the future.

Win now or win later? The Rams front office chooses both, and remains inactive at the trade deadline.

As always, thanks for reading.

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