What NFL draft analysts got so wrong about the Rams 2024 draft, and why

What I love most about the methods of the LA Rams football organization is how nimble the front office has proven to be time and time again. It takes countless hours and many nights burning the midnight oil to become so well-versed and prepared for the three-day NFL Draft. And all that preparation and immeasurable effort is all for naught if the team slips on one decision.

The 2024 NFL Draft is a stellar example of that.

The team certainly had several targets in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and fans may have been mildly shocked to learn that the team did not have OLB Jared Verse as their primary target. Video evidence from Day 1 of the draft suggests that the team tried frantically to trade up to select Georgia TE Brock Bowers. When that failed, the team made an effort to trade up to select Texas DT Byron Murphy II.

When Murphy came off the board, the team accepted the opportunity to stand pat and select the rookie prospect who many NFL draft analysts viewed as the best edge rusher in the rookie class, Florida State Seminoles OLB Jared Verse. Verse first appeared in a Ramblin Fan mock draft in mid-March, and at the time I was skeptical that he would fall to the 19th overall pick.

That good fortune set the stage for the Rams to take a huge risk in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. So here is how events evolved for the team.

The LA Rams needed to address their defensive tackle position, as All-Pro DT Aaron Donald had retired, and the team did not backfill the vacancy by signing a veteran free agent. Early in Round 2, defensive tackles became the next hot position group for NFL GMs. Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Illinois DT Jer'Zahn Newton, and Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat flew off the board at the 35th, 36th, and 38th overall picks respectively.

Which a glaring need, and a rapidly shrinking supply, the front office was forced to work the phones once more. The team viewed Florida State rookie DT Braden Fiske in high regard, but he was not going to last to the 52nd overall pick, the next opportunity for the Rams to step up to the draft podium.

But the Rams found a taker to trade back. The Carolina Panthers agreed to do so, but they exacted a heavy premium from the Rams to trade back from 39 to 52. The Rams were forced to package their 2024 Round 2 and a Round 5 pick, plus the 2025 Round 2 pick, in exchange for the Panthers' Round 2 pick at 39.

The Rams pulled the trigger, and the rest is history.

That was not the end of the story, however. NFL draft analysts crawled out from under rocks en masse to lambast the Rams for agreeing to that trade. Two Round 2 and a Round 5 pick to move up 13 spots in Round 2 was foolish, and there so many opinions could find to justify making the move. And yet, they applaud far greater draft packages to trade up in Round 1 for the opportunity to select what could become a franchise rookie quarterback.

And therein lies the rub. Draft analysts can only see draft value charts, mathematical equations, and their own rookie rankings. Trying to see how well two players with deep friendships can perform on the same team hits them in their blind spot. You can't teach a fish to fly. You can't teach an elephant to climb trees. You can't teach a draft analyst to value the chemistry and friendship of college football players on an NFL team roster.

But fans can appreciate that chemistry. That is why we were quick to point out that draft analysts missed the boat. It would have been a greater evil not to trade up to 39 for the Rams. The team was not trading up for the value of the 39th pick overall but for a rookie prospect. The team recognized the unique value of transplanting two elite defenders from the Florida State Seminoles' defense and grafting the combination of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske into their defensive front.

The results were outstanding, but very predictable.

While the price paid to climb to the 39th overall pick was steep, the Rams front office proved once again that great outcomes can happen if you enter the draft well prepared.

I will be the first to admit the uncertainty when emerging from any NFL Draft. Unlike free agents, the variables facing a rookie's success in the NFL are far more complex and numerous. But did Rams GM Les Snead stumble upon a cheat code?

Verse and Fiske's strong friendship and friendly rivalry ensured that the team added two elite talents with initiative and strong work ethic to the roster. The team has paired two outstanding defenders in each of the past two drafts. Hopefully, the team can leverage this draft success to succeed in the 2025 NFL Draft as well.

As always, thanks for reading.

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