2023 lessons allow Rams to gauge the price of success, riling up analysts

Did the Rams overpay?

How much does that cost? Does the value of this transaction equate to the cost? Those are the questions that we ask ourselves on a daily basis. It happens at the grocery store. It happens at the beauty salon, the barber, the gas pump, and even the fast food drive-up window.

Whenever you need to reach for your wallet or purse, you have already asked yourself the question, and decided: Yes, it's worth the cost. Even if it's a huge price hike at the gas pump, the only option is to pay the price, or do without. And therein lies the rub.

Let's revisit Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. At the time the Rams agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers to move up in the draft, the following defensive tackles had already been selected:

• DT Byron Murphy II, Texas, by the Seattle Seahawks at 16
• DE Darious Robinson, Missouri, by the Arizona Cardinals at 27
• DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson, by the Atlanta Falcons at 35
• DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois, by the Washington Commanders at 36
• DT T'Vondre Sweat, Texas, by the Tennessee Titans at 38
• DT Braden Fiske, Florida State, by the LA Rams at 39

So here is the question that is not being asked. While the Rams paid a premium to trade up to the 39th overall pick to select Braden Fiske, was that spot too lofty for Fiske? Or had Fiske fallen to a point where he was a huge bargain at 39?

Let's explore that with an analogy. If a mansion in your favorite neighborhood goes on the market, and slashes its asking price from $1.2 million to $300,000, will you complain if your mortgage interest runs at a 6.4 percent rate? I seriously doubt if your dream house suddenly becomes affordable to your family budget, that would refuse to bid on the home due to unfavorable terms of mortgage.