New clip reveals Jared Verse wasn't actually Rams' No. 1 option in NFL Draft

The LA Rams emerged from the 2024 NFL Draft with a haul of 10 rookies that could arguably turn out better than the 2023 rookie class did. But the story behind the scenes of any draft is often chaotic, filled with drama, twists and turns, and cul de sacs of emotions throughout the process. So it seems that the team that calmly steps away from the draft and proclaims the cliche': 'We got all of the top players on our board.', fails to acknowledge the numerous times their maneuvers were thwarted by other teams simply saying no.

Months before the 2024 NFL Draft, we published our belief in seven rookie prospects who we had learned the team would be eager to move up to select among a Top-10 selection. But as we continue to state, trades require two teams to be interested in making a deal. And so it goes that even as the Rams were eager to move up, surrendering their two picks in the draft to move up to the New York Jets spot at number 10, the Jets GM Joe Douglas was simply not interested in trading back at that point.

How do we know? Well, we have the video footage of Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and the conversation between Rams GM Les Snead and Jets GM Joe Douglas to share and decipher:

When the Jets appeared on the clock at the 10th overall pick, the LA Rams had the conversation with the Jets and offered the 19th overall and the 52nd overall pick to move into the 10th overall spot. That offer was simply not sweet enough for the Jets, who did ultimately trade back one spot to the 11th overall pick with the Minnesota Vikings.

While not reflected in actual video footage, did the Rams sweeten their offer with the 2025 Round 2 pick (valued at 380 as well)? At the time of the Round 1 draft pick for the Jets, that sweetened offer is far more likely based on what the team was willing to do later in the draft. And the value of one Round 1 and two Round 2 picks (which we will discuss in the next slide) is far more equitable than the two picks proposed in the above video.

Proposed trade

The Rams proposal on the surface appears to be skewed in terms of relative value in favor of the Rams. Per the draft value chart, the 10th overall pick (valued at 1300) is significantly more valuable than the combination of the 19th overall pick (valued at 850) and the 52nd overall pick (valued at 380).

Based on what I know about the Rams, and how they construct their trade packages, I would believe that they offered the Jets their Round 1 and 2 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and added their Round 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to try to shake them loose from their spot. The Jets were not interested in dropping back that far.

But the Jets were taking calls on the 10th overall pick. With four quarterbacks off the board, they rattled the cage of the Minnesota Vikings enough to squeeze some added picks out of the Vikings tro move up one spot in the draft. That trade looked like this:

In exchange for the New York Jets' 10th overall pick and a 203rd overall pick in Round 6, the Vikings gave up their 11th overall pick, 129th overall pick (Round 4), and 157th overall pick (Round 5) in the 2024 NFL Draft. In terms of the value of picks, the Vikings received 1310.2 value in their trade package, while the Jets received 1320.6 value in their package.

Plus the Vikings trade package kept them high enough in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft to make sense to accept the offer.

Who were the Rams targeting at the 10th overall spot?

At the 10th overall pick, the LA Rams were still enthusiastically interested in trading up. which eliminates a number of rookie prospects who were linked to the Rams prior to the draft. Those prospects who were off the board included:

• Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
• Washington WR Rome Odunze
• Washington QB Michael Penix
• USC QB Caleb Williams
• LSU WR Malik Nabers
• Alabama OT J.C. Latham

And there were several rookie quarterback prospects not listed above who simply made no sense for the team who were selected before the 10th pick, and whose early selection may have actually aided the options available when the team intended to select, and made the Round 1 pick.

Did the Rams miss out on a future All-Pro player? It's tough to call that type of missed opportunity before any of the rookies even play a single snap in their first NFL game. I will state the obvious, though. The Rams reportedly tried feverishly to trade into Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft for Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid but were unable to do so. Attempted trades, it seems, are quite commonplace on draft day.

Now we have to ask ourselves, who was the targeted rookie? And in the aftermath when all the dust has settled, did the Rams end up in a worse or better strategic position in terms of the strength of their roster?

I suppose that sort of question hinges on acknowledging all potential Rams intended selections who were still on the 2024 NFL Draft board at that 10th spot. We will do a follow-up article very soon citing who the team may have targeted there, and whether or not the team will regret having to shift to Plan B.

As always, thank you so much for reading.