Never shy about using draft capital to reel in proven veterans, the Rams surprised absolutely no one Wednesday by perching themselves on the doorstep of a trade for Chiefs Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The deal won’t be official until the start of the NFL’s new league year next Wednesday, but the linchpin is the first-round pick the Rams are sending the Chiefs, the No. 29 pick overall in next month’s draft.
In addition, they are trading a fifth- and sixth-rounder this year and a third-round pick in next year’s draft.
Just like that, the Rams shored up their biggest weakness with a 25-year-old cornerback just entering the prime of his career.
It also adds tremendous intrigue to the asset they managed to hang onto. Remember, the Rams also have the 13th pick overall in next month’s draft, which they can now use in any number of ways after proactively addressing their greatest need by acquiring McDuffie.
Here are some options:
Makai Lemon, USC WR
After taking care of the cornerback spot, the Rams could turn their attention to offense, where they need another wide receiver to slot alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Adams turns 34 years old next December and is heading into the last year of his contract. So his time in Los Angeles comes with an expiration date. Lemon easily projects as the eventual replacement for Adams in the Rams’ receiver pecking order, while also making an immediate impact alongside Adams and Nacua.
Lemon isn’t the biggest or fastest wide receiver, but he’s virtually unguardable out of the slot as an intelligent and precise route runner with immaculate ball skills. He wins battles, flat out, whether it’s getting open or fighting for the ball.
The Rams are in win-now mode, which makes Lemon the perfect pick as a Day 1 contributor and a massive part of their future.
Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon TE
For the same reason the Rams might want Lemon, so too might one or two teams drafting ahead of them.
In other words, he might be long gone when their turn arrives at No. 13.
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Sadiq would be a great pivot as a freakishly athletic tight end capable of making plays at every level of the defense. Two years ago, the Rams tried to trade up with the Raiders to select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, believing he could be a game-changer in their pass game.
Sadiq has a similar profile and would fit perfectly in and around Nacua, Adams and the other tight ends on the roster.
Ty Simpson, Alabama QB
The trade for McDuffie sent a clear signal that the Rams want to maximize their remaining future with Stafford. It would make sense, then, that they would use No. 13 to further fortify their present by adding a player who can help as early as this season.
That’s why Lemon feels like the guy, if he’s still on the board.
However, if GM Les Snead and the Rams have any inclination that Simpson has the goods to eventually be a franchise-caliber quarterback, he makes sense, too.
The Rams can’t afford to be stuck without a replacement for Stafford when he ultimately calls it quits. That day could be as soon as this time next year or the next.
While Simpson doesn’t help the club immediately, the investment could pay off massively in a year or two when he’s ready to take over.
It’s something to think about, at least.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
