This is what my crystal ball is telling me about Rams 2023 draft strategy…

A few general thoughts on the Rams 2023 draft strategy…

A trade up, ESPECIALLY for a RB, seems unlikely and a poor usage of precious draft capital. It would break my heart, tbh. Same thing for trading up for a QB.

A modest trade down from 36 (or two), otoh, would be a tremendous bonus if Snead can find trade partners. The value will definitely be there.

I see the following in some order as our first three picks:

Edge
CB
IOL

Edge and CB are no brainers in terms of need/value. A stud OG/OC could really solidify our OL and allow our O to start firing on all cylinders once again. My preference would be OC depending on who falls. Unfortunately, even Shelton doesn’t seem good enough.

Any Ram draft that doesn’t add a TE from THIS class by 5th round is a gigantic missed opportunity. They might take one on Day 2, actually.

A RB will surely be drafted but it will be on Day 3, probably in 5th or 6th round. Great RB class and Snead will take full advantage.

I wouldn’t be stunned if Moody were a pick as early as 5th round.

The Turk kid from Oklahoma could be a 7th round pick as Punter.

Don’t know what Snead/McVay are planning for backup QB. Could be a mid round draft pick or could be a 3rd tier career emergency backup while they wait to draft early in 2024. I suspect the latter.

The above are just my projected highlights of this draft strategy. But we can be sure that Snead will be sprinkling in picks he likes for depth at various positions such as DL, Edge, CB, S, OL, ILB, TE when players he likes fall.

As we can see, this draft, and the udfa circus to follow will not be sufficient to plug all holes now on this roster. That must somehow be finished with 3rd tier vets they will sign up to and including final cuts.

A daunting task for one offseason, huh? But they painted themselves into this damned corner and now it’s gonna take 2 years to climb out of this hole.