Rams Les Snead continues to find gold in NFL drafts that other teams abandon

In the NFL, no general manager bats 1.000. Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead knows that all too well. But just to remind fans, the tale of once undrafted collegiate free agent kicker Cameron Dicker's signing and release is a cautionary tale. He just set the NFL record for a kicker's single-season accuracy.

Yes, and LA cut him in 2022

Okay, he's one that got away. But there is gold on this roster that was panned on Day 3 and after the draft. If you want the flip side of the record, fans need look no further than the two offensive tackles. Left tackle Alaric Jackson signed as an undrafted free agent. Right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. was selected in Round 6 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Both starters had compellingly effective seasons.

Jackson claimed Andrew Whitworth's starting role after subbing superbly in 2022. Warren McClendon Jr. followed suit by super-subbing for right tackle Rob Havenstein. McClendon earned the right to start after an undeniably effective training camp. Jackson is 27 years old. McClendon is only 24 years old. If both play to 30 or longer, the team is set at offensive tackle for the next four seasons.

Rams Les Snead finds gold in NFL drafts that other teams abandon

The LA Rams have been successful without the use of Day 1 draft picks because this team continues to find NFL-calibre talent long after other teams abandon all hope of adding team-worthy talent. This is the same front office that selected NFL offensive stars like wide receiver Puka Nacua and running back Kyren Williams on Day 3 of their respective drafts.

Both are among the NFL's best.

So it stands to reason that the same vetting process that landed elite offensive weapons on the last day of the three-day NFL draft will turn up talented offensive linemen as well. This team seeks rookie prospects who are coachable and have high ceilings. Then, coaches take over to get them there. While some never reach their true potential, the team only needs one or two to pan out.

While neither Jackson nor McClendon is projected as a future All-Pro offensive tackle, they have contributed to an NFC Championship Game contender. That's nothing to sneeze at, as many teams spend multiple valuable draft picks and fail to get similar results.

Economic principles apply to the NFL. Cheaper is better. That not only applies to the salary cap, but also includes the cost of acquisition. Imagine being a general manager who fails to land a competent starter from a rookie selected in the first two days of the draft, only to watch in astonishment as Les Snead finds hidden gems on the third day of the draft, or even after the draft ends.

It's not where LA finds players. It's simply that this team does find ideal fits. That has continued to buoy the Rams roster, sustaining its post-season competitiveness. Hitting one playoff is easy. Remaining a perennial playoff team is far more difficult. So far, Snead has found an excellent rhythm of doing so.

As always, thanks for reading.