Rams send not-so-subtle message to sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams and general manager Les Snead, it's about the right opportunity at the right price. Snead seldom gets swept up in an NFL auction bidding war. He knows his limits, knows the perceived value, and simply does not cross the line from economic advantage to obscene overpay. He lets that to other NFL general managers.

In the 48 hours leading up to the NFL trade deadline, NFL fans face the same gale-force winds of misinformation that rivals the annual NFL draft. It's all public posturing between player representatives and general managers in veiled attempts to affect the marketplace. So when fans hear messages from head coaches, general managers, it's important to read between the lines.

Despite hed coach Sean McVay pooh-poohing additional trades before the NFL trade deadline, the between-the-lines decoder ring has a different meaning to the statement. In a less obvious message, Los Angeles is telling NFL teams that want to make a deal that their asking prices are too high. And until prices fall to more reasonable costs, LA is content to sit silently in the audience.

If the price is right, Les Snead will make deals

No team is perfect at this point in the season. And Los Angeles is not immune to the bumps and bruises that begin to weigh heavily upon the players going forward. Despite the list of scheduled games going forward shrinking with each football Sunday, the season remains a jog and not a sprint.

Depth and talent remain critical in Snead's scope of priorities. If the right fit shows up on his radar scope at the right price, he will agree to make the trade to acquire that player. But it has to pass the right price litmus test.

If you recall, Snead pried epic pass rusher Von Miller from the Denver Broncos for a third-round pick. The additional fourth-round pick incentivized the Broncos to eat millions of salary cap dollars due him in 2021.

Compare that to the asking price of a first-round pick to rent Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, and you can see why McVay said what he said. As time runs out, motivated sellers drastically cut asking prices to move players (and their corresponding salary cap hits) for whatever they can get.

It's that price-slashing that should keep LA's likelihood of trading on the radar. The team knows it needs kicker help. History suggests that Los Angeles has shopped for multiple positions during past trade deadlines. Few expect Snead to deal now, which is when he is at his most dangerous.

Stay vigilant.

And as always, thank you for reading.