Rams GM Les Snead hints that a blockbuster trade may follow 2025 NFL Draft

With the 2025 NFL Draft now just hours away, the Los Angeles Rams are making final preparations for Day 1 and the first of what could be another successful drafting of rookies who will help the team compete in the 2025 NFL season and postseason. The stage is set, the spotlights will be on, and the current expectation for the Rams with their Round 1 pick encompasses virtually all possibilities.

The team may choose to trade up. The team could opt to trade back. But each of those scenarios depends on a willing trading partner who is willing to exchange fair market value with the Rams in order to swap places with them. Without a trade partner, the Rams will be standing pat at the 26th overall pick, and selecting the best player and fit on the draft board.

There is a growing consensus over the Rams moving from that 26th overall pick, whether that is up the board to grab a specific rookie prospect, or back to add additional picks to their arsenal. But are we looking for the Rams to engineer a trade at the wrong spot? After all, if the Rams stick to their past strategies, then the presence of veterans on the Rams roster like QB Matthew Stafford, TE Tyler Higbee, RT Rob Havenstein, and even newly signed WR Davante Adams, necessitates more of a win-now urgency than loading up on draft picks for the future.

Perhaps the Rams have another blockbuster trade in their sights?

Why Jalen Ramsey to the Rams makes sense

When the Rams traded All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, the team did so specifically to ensure that Ramsey would land at a preferred NFL team. While not confirmed, it's long been suspected that the team left value on the table by holding the trade with the Miami Dolphins. In return, the Rams acquired TE Hunter Long (now with the Jacksonville Jaguars) and the 77th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. That pick added Tennessee outside linebacker Byron Young to the Rams' young but passionate defense.

But since parting ways with Ramsey, the Rams secondary has never quite been the same. While the team has upgraded the safety position significantly, the cornerbacks have been suspect. But with one simple but headlining trade, the Rams front office could change that quickly.

Linking Ramsey back to the Rams is a simple connection to make. Neither Rams HC Sean McVay nor GM Les Snead has discouraged speculation and NFL rumors that expect the team to make a push for Jalen Ramsey before the 2025 NFL season starts. The only projection that has been shot down is the timing of such a trade.

Les Snead is focused on the 2025 NFL Draft at the moment:

Rams GM Les Snead confirmed that trade discussions over Jalen Ramsey have already taken place between the two teams. But due to Ramsey's significant compensation and his advancing age, the teams will need to proceed carefully to ensure that an optimal trade package can be negotiated for both teams.

There is also the interest of other NFL teams that the Miami Dolphins must consider.

For the Rams, the timeline of adding Jalen Ramsey to bolster the secondary for 2025 and 2026 aligns well with the projected timeline of other veterans on this team. By taking the veteran route, the Rams exert far more control over expected production than by opting for a rookie cornerback.

Lastly, the addition of Ramsey reunites the Rams Super Bowl LVI cornerback tandem of Darious Williams and Jalen Ramsey, a duo that played very well in the Rams secondary in 2021.

No, Jalen Ramsey does not walk on water. But in terms of immediate upgrade to the secondary, Ramsey is more than a solid pass defender. He is a physical defensive back who excels at defending the run as well. And the addition of Ramsey does not simply apply a band-aid to the Rams cornerback position. Rather, Ramsey can work with young corners to enhance their development for larger roles in the future.

In terms of blockbuster trades, I do not expect the Rams to send the Dolphins a Round 1 or 2 pick. But any trade that sends CB Jalen Ramsey to an NFL contender is going to make headlines. And NFL trades that fill headlines. As one definition puts it: A "blockbuster trade" in sports refers toa significant player transaction that generates major media attention and has a lasting impact on the involved teams and the league. An exchange of CB Jalen Ramsey back to the Los Angeles Rams satisfies that definition.

We'll have clues as to the likelihood of the Rams pursuing a trade for Ramsey based on whether or not the Rams address the cornerback position in the draft. But until the Rams three-day draft event concludes, all we have to go on are the hints mentioned by Rams HC Sean McVay and GM Les Snead. So for now, that will have to do.

Buckle up Rams fans. Not only are you in for a wild ride throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. But these Rams have enough irons in the fire to make for a very exciting month of May as well.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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