Les Snead 14 year draft history of offensive playmakers..
| February 01, 2026 05:06PM |
2012-2016 with Jeff Fisher:
We know Jeff Fisher demanded last say on personnel moves when he was hired and he was part of the Rams search for a GM, which turned out to be Snead. It`s hard to say exactly who liked who more but Snead definitely didn`t have final say on all draft picks, so its hard to fully evaluate all these picks.
2012:
2nd round #33 overall - WR Brian Quick (Appalachian State)
Snead/Fisher showed they weren`t afraid to risk drafting talent from smaller, lesser known schools. They thought they had a diamond in the rough with WR Brian Quick, but at #33 overall that pick didn`t pan out that well. Many of us here wanted the more well known WR from the SEC, Alshon Jeffrey, who went 12 picks later to the Bears.
2nd round #50 overall - RB Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati)
This pick was one of the toughest pills to swallow because the Rams traded down 5 spots with the Bears for Pead, just to get another 5th round pick (Rok Watkins). It cost them losing a future hall of fame LB in Bobby Wager. Fisher admitted they made a big mistake and Wagner was his target. Ironically the Bears took the WR the Rams should have taken (Alshon Jeffery) in that traded out spot at #45.
Even after losing out on Wagner, the Rams had a chance to take WILL LB Lavonte David at #50 instead of Pead. David went 8 picks later to the Bucs and the rest is history.
Pead was a bust.
2013:
1st round #8 overall - WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia)
I`m not going to lie, I was a Tavon West Virginia fan, so I didn`t hate the pick, but thought one of the Bama OL may have been a better choice. DeAndre Hopkins was my favorite WR in the draft, but I knew he wasn`t going that high and was hoping for him at #29. Even though Tavon was a bit if a bust, I never thought Fisher`s offense and OC did him any favors. And probably not a great sign that Tavon scored a 7 on the Wonderlic test. I do think Snead and every GM/HC learned to never draft a small gadget type WR that high again.
3rd round #92 overall - WR Stedman Bailey (West Virginia)
Not a terrible risk/reward pick for a late 3rd rounder but not great either. Short career after getting shot.
2014:
3rd round #75 overall - RB Tre Mason (Auburn)
Both Snead (Auburn alumni) and Fisher (his son Brandon coached at Auburn at this time) had ties with Auburn. Fisher loves RB`s, so it made sense after seeing the monster senior year where Mason had over 1,800 yards rushing and 23 TD`s. For a 3rd round pick I thought the value was there. Not a bad rookie season, but flaked out with mental/off field issues, and was gone from the NFL in quick fashion.
2015:
1st round #10 overall - RB Todd Gurley (Georgia)
Total Jeff Fisher pick loving his RB`s. I`m sure Snead was also on board with this one. Great pick!
2016:
1st round #1 overall - QB Jared Goff (California)
Rams needed a franchise QB so they traded essentially 2 1st`s and 2 2nd`s to move up to the #1 overall spot to select Goff. Obviously it was a weak QB draft, but they arguably got the best QB in the draft. Best value QB was Dak Prescott in the late 4th round. I cannot really say this was a bad move, and it eventually helped aid in the Rams acquiring Stafford and winning a Super Bowl.
4th round #110 overall - TE Tyler Higbee (Western Kentucky)
I was calling for Higbee here with this pick before the pick, so I thought it was a good value pick.
2017-2025 with Sean McVay
Rams get their young offensive minded head coach and we are all excited to see him come in and Fisher exit. You knew McVay and Snead would be hunting for some offensive weapons. Incredibly though, the McVay era has only had 1 1st round pick in his 9 seasons as head coach. Would have loved to have seen what he and Snead would have done with a 1st rounder every year.
2017:
No 1st round pick
2nd round #44 overall - TE Gerald Everett (South Alabama)
With no 1st round pick, the Rams had their 1st pick at #44 in round 2. No surprise here with the early TE pick, with Snead being an ex-TE and McVay prioritizing the TE position in Washington with Jordan Reed. They went smaller school here, like the Brian Quick pick in 2012, and once again it just didn`t really pan out.
TE`s Evan Engram and David Njoku were already off the board in round 1 and I think Snead/McVay thought they were getting the next best TE. Little did they and 30 other NFL teams know, the best TE came from Iowa and didn`t get drafted until round 5 to their division rival, lol.
3rd round #69 overall - WR Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington)
My all time favorite Rams draft pick and not only because I wanted him and called him here to the Rams with this 3rd round pick. This time the smaller school player pick paid off and then some!
2018:
No 1st or 2nd round pick
2019:
No 1st round pick
3rd round #70 overall - RB Darrell Henderson (Memphis)
Another somewhat smaller school selection but I think they liked his speed and explosiveness. Unfortunately this pick ever really panned out. I was calling for a bigger RB with this pick as well, in Iowa State`s David Montgomery.
2020:
No 1st round pick
2nd round #52 overall - RB Cam Akers (Florida State)
I thought this was a little high to draft Akers. Pre draft ran a nice 4.47 40 at 217lbs though. Tore his achilles before his second season, then was pissed off he didn`t start game 1 in 2022. The rest is history. Ended up being a bad pick this high.
2nd round #57 overall - WR Van Jefferson (Florida)
Only had one good season, but it was the season the Rams won the Super Bowl. Got hurt, got traded and he is sticking around, but not doing much. Not a great pick.
2021:
No 1st round pick
2nd round #57 overall - WR Tutu Atwell (Louisville)
Had some production in 2023 and 2024 but not much of anything in 2025. After 5 seasons, I`m calling this a bad pick this high. I think it`s time to move on.
4th round #141 overall - WR Jacob Harris (Central Florida)
6`5, 220lbs, 4.39 40, TE turned WR. Risk/reward wasn`t bad here. Unfortunately tore his ACL and MCL rookie season and that was pretty much that.
2022:
No 1st and 2nd round picks
5th round #164 overall - RB Kyren Williams (Notre Dame)
Home Run! Rams like to draft RB`s on days 2 & 3 despite how many are already on their roster. I like the concept. There will be hits and misses and this was a hit!
2023:
No 1st round pick
5th round #177 overall - WR Puka Nacua (BYU)
WOW! Best Rams value draft pick of all time and may never be matched ever, even if he doesn`t have a very long career!
2024:
Snead & McVay did unsuccessfully try hard to trade up for TE Brock Bowers and he turned out to be a stud!
3rd round #83 overall - RB Blake Corum (Michigan)
Rams continue their 2nd/3rd day RB trend. I liked this pick when they made it and like it today still. Late 3rd round pick was solid value here.
2025:
No 1st round pick as they traded out of round 1
2nd round #46 overall - TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
I wasn`t a big fan of this pick and the jury is still out, but it`s very early. I would like to trust McVay when it comes to his TE`s. It will be interesting to see how he develops and how much he`s used with the emergence of Parkinson. Maybe a continuing TE by committee approach?
4th round #117 overall - RB Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
Another add a RB to the roster on day 2 - day 3. I think this is more of a Snead than McVay find being an Auburn guy. It`s still early, but I don`t see him beating out either KW or Corum, who just keeps getting better. Maybe he can be of help on ST`s next season.
Based on the 14 years of Snead and including the last 9 years with McVay drafting offensive playmakers, here are some trends I see:
1. Always looking to trade up or down
2. Always looking to add a RB on days 2 or 3
3. Not afraid to go after small school talent
4. They both love their TE`s
5. Can find great WR talent in the mid rounds (Kupp, Nacua) like the Steelers have in the past.
6. 2nd round picks have sucked for whatever reason. Pretty much 0 for 6 with one pending (Ferguson). Let`s hit on our 2nd this year!
2026 Rams drafts selection slots:
1st round #13 overall
1st round #29 overall
2nd round #61 overall
3rd round #93 overall
5th round #167 overall
6th round #205 overall
6th round #208 overall
7th round #232 overall
7th round #250 overall
7th round #256 overall
This should be a fun draft, where I think the Rams will definitely try to work a trade with one of their 1st round picks, whether it be up or down (probably down) or for an established NFL player (CB?).
This is just offensive playmakers.
Once again, I don`t think they would shy away from drafting a smaller school talent.
As far as the top 3 WR`s go, is either Tate, Tyson or Lemon there at #13? One of them should be. Is Boston falling to #29? Probably not. Is Chris Brazzell worth #29?
Who can become a day 2 or day 3 steal? Georgia State`s WR Ted Hurst? (that small school talent). I believe Hurst is the real deal and was happy to see his weight up. Omar Copper Jr? Elijah Sarratt? Deion Burks? Ja'Kobi Lane? Those are all probably day 2 guys.
Are there any day 3 steals at WR in this draft?
Do the Rams take another RB in the middle rounds? Mike Washington Jr. 230lbs running a 4.45 would be hard to pass on if he slips. He`s big, but he can accelerate and get to top speed quickly. Once he hits that second level he can bust some long runs. He had several mid-long range runs in just about every game this year. Can catch the ball out of the backfield as well. Crazy that he`s projected as a 5th rounder. This might be the year the Rams don`t draft another RB, as it may drop Snead`s boy Hunter further down the depth chart. Maybe Jadarian Price or a Kaytron Allen fall some as well.
I know the Rams do not need another TE, but Houston`s Tanner Koziol will be a day 3 steal. 94 catches in 2024 and closed out his career with a 1 TD, 9 catch performance against LSU in the Texas Bowl. 6`6 1/2 weapon.
QB position? Realistically, the Rams have to be thinking that 2026 will be Stafford`s last season. He may have one more, but they cannot rely on that. Do the Rams do what just about every QB needy team is doing and waiting for the 2027 draft? Why do I get the feeling that some of those projected 2027 QB prospects do not declare in 2027 and wait for 2028? Should still be a decent number of good ones next year, but the Rams will have to trade up for one. Another option, is if Bama`s Ty Simpson is on the board at #29 and the Rams like him enough to bring him in and have him mentored by Stafford for a year or two. They more than likely wait for 2027. And of course a future trade for an established NFL QB is always a possibility down the road.
My all around favorite offensive weapon (mostly for ST`s) in this draft is Iowa`s KR/PR/WR Kaden Wetjen. Really hope the Rams land this guy in the draft!
Rams will most certainly draft at least one WR, but may not draft a RB or a TE this draft. Let`s see what happens.
“The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.”
George Bernard Shaw
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2026 06:06PM by PaulButcher59.
We know Jeff Fisher demanded last say on personnel moves when he was hired and he was part of the Rams search for a GM, which turned out to be Snead. It`s hard to say exactly who liked who more but Snead definitely didn`t have final say on all draft picks, so its hard to fully evaluate all these picks.
2012:
2nd round #33 overall - WR Brian Quick (Appalachian State)
Snead/Fisher showed they weren`t afraid to risk drafting talent from smaller, lesser known schools. They thought they had a diamond in the rough with WR Brian Quick, but at #33 overall that pick didn`t pan out that well. Many of us here wanted the more well known WR from the SEC, Alshon Jeffrey, who went 12 picks later to the Bears.
2nd round #50 overall - RB Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati)
This pick was one of the toughest pills to swallow because the Rams traded down 5 spots with the Bears for Pead, just to get another 5th round pick (Rok Watkins). It cost them losing a future hall of fame LB in Bobby Wager. Fisher admitted they made a big mistake and Wagner was his target. Ironically the Bears took the WR the Rams should have taken (Alshon Jeffery) in that traded out spot at #45.
Even after losing out on Wagner, the Rams had a chance to take WILL LB Lavonte David at #50 instead of Pead. David went 8 picks later to the Bucs and the rest is history.
Pead was a bust.
2013:
1st round #8 overall - WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia)
I`m not going to lie, I was a Tavon West Virginia fan, so I didn`t hate the pick, but thought one of the Bama OL may have been a better choice. DeAndre Hopkins was my favorite WR in the draft, but I knew he wasn`t going that high and was hoping for him at #29. Even though Tavon was a bit if a bust, I never thought Fisher`s offense and OC did him any favors. And probably not a great sign that Tavon scored a 7 on the Wonderlic test. I do think Snead and every GM/HC learned to never draft a small gadget type WR that high again.
3rd round #92 overall - WR Stedman Bailey (West Virginia)
Not a terrible risk/reward pick for a late 3rd rounder but not great either. Short career after getting shot.
2014:
3rd round #75 overall - RB Tre Mason (Auburn)
Both Snead (Auburn alumni) and Fisher (his son Brandon coached at Auburn at this time) had ties with Auburn. Fisher loves RB`s, so it made sense after seeing the monster senior year where Mason had over 1,800 yards rushing and 23 TD`s. For a 3rd round pick I thought the value was there. Not a bad rookie season, but flaked out with mental/off field issues, and was gone from the NFL in quick fashion.
2015:
1st round #10 overall - RB Todd Gurley (Georgia)
Total Jeff Fisher pick loving his RB`s. I`m sure Snead was also on board with this one. Great pick!
2016:
1st round #1 overall - QB Jared Goff (California)
Rams needed a franchise QB so they traded essentially 2 1st`s and 2 2nd`s to move up to the #1 overall spot to select Goff. Obviously it was a weak QB draft, but they arguably got the best QB in the draft. Best value QB was Dak Prescott in the late 4th round. I cannot really say this was a bad move, and it eventually helped aid in the Rams acquiring Stafford and winning a Super Bowl.
4th round #110 overall - TE Tyler Higbee (Western Kentucky)
I was calling for Higbee here with this pick before the pick, so I thought it was a good value pick.
2017-2025 with Sean McVay
Rams get their young offensive minded head coach and we are all excited to see him come in and Fisher exit. You knew McVay and Snead would be hunting for some offensive weapons. Incredibly though, the McVay era has only had 1 1st round pick in his 9 seasons as head coach. Would have loved to have seen what he and Snead would have done with a 1st rounder every year.
2017:
No 1st round pick
2nd round #44 overall - TE Gerald Everett (South Alabama)
With no 1st round pick, the Rams had their 1st pick at #44 in round 2. No surprise here with the early TE pick, with Snead being an ex-TE and McVay prioritizing the TE position in Washington with Jordan Reed. They went smaller school here, like the Brian Quick pick in 2012, and once again it just didn`t really pan out.
TE`s Evan Engram and David Njoku were already off the board in round 1 and I think Snead/McVay thought they were getting the next best TE. Little did they and 30 other NFL teams know, the best TE came from Iowa and didn`t get drafted until round 5 to their division rival, lol.
3rd round #69 overall - WR Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington)
My all time favorite Rams draft pick and not only because I wanted him and called him here to the Rams with this 3rd round pick. This time the smaller school player pick paid off and then some!
2018:
No 1st or 2nd round pick
2019:
No 1st round pick
3rd round #70 overall - RB Darrell Henderson (Memphis)
Another somewhat smaller school selection but I think they liked his speed and explosiveness. Unfortunately this pick ever really panned out. I was calling for a bigger RB with this pick as well, in Iowa State`s David Montgomery.
2020:
No 1st round pick
2nd round #52 overall - RB Cam Akers (Florida State)
I thought this was a little high to draft Akers. Pre draft ran a nice 4.47 40 at 217lbs though. Tore his achilles before his second season, then was pissed off he didn`t start game 1 in 2022. The rest is history. Ended up being a bad pick this high.
2nd round #57 overall - WR Van Jefferson (Florida)
Only had one good season, but it was the season the Rams won the Super Bowl. Got hurt, got traded and he is sticking around, but not doing much. Not a great pick.
2021:
No 1st round pick
2nd round #57 overall - WR Tutu Atwell (Louisville)
Had some production in 2023 and 2024 but not much of anything in 2025. After 5 seasons, I`m calling this a bad pick this high. I think it`s time to move on.
4th round #141 overall - WR Jacob Harris (Central Florida)
6`5, 220lbs, 4.39 40, TE turned WR. Risk/reward wasn`t bad here. Unfortunately tore his ACL and MCL rookie season and that was pretty much that.
2022:
No 1st and 2nd round picks
5th round #164 overall - RB Kyren Williams (Notre Dame)
Home Run! Rams like to draft RB`s on days 2 & 3 despite how many are already on their roster. I like the concept. There will be hits and misses and this was a hit!
2023:
No 1st round pick
5th round #177 overall - WR Puka Nacua (BYU)
WOW! Best Rams value draft pick of all time and may never be matched ever, even if he doesn`t have a very long career!
2024:
Snead & McVay did unsuccessfully try hard to trade up for TE Brock Bowers and he turned out to be a stud!
3rd round #83 overall - RB Blake Corum (Michigan)
Rams continue their 2nd/3rd day RB trend. I liked this pick when they made it and like it today still. Late 3rd round pick was solid value here.
2025:
No 1st round pick as they traded out of round 1
2nd round #46 overall - TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
I wasn`t a big fan of this pick and the jury is still out, but it`s very early. I would like to trust McVay when it comes to his TE`s. It will be interesting to see how he develops and how much he`s used with the emergence of Parkinson. Maybe a continuing TE by committee approach?
4th round #117 overall - RB Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
Another add a RB to the roster on day 2 - day 3. I think this is more of a Snead than McVay find being an Auburn guy. It`s still early, but I don`t see him beating out either KW or Corum, who just keeps getting better. Maybe he can be of help on ST`s next season.
Based on the 14 years of Snead and including the last 9 years with McVay drafting offensive playmakers, here are some trends I see:
1. Always looking to trade up or down
2. Always looking to add a RB on days 2 or 3
3. Not afraid to go after small school talent
4. They both love their TE`s
5. Can find great WR talent in the mid rounds (Kupp, Nacua) like the Steelers have in the past.
6. 2nd round picks have sucked for whatever reason. Pretty much 0 for 6 with one pending (Ferguson). Let`s hit on our 2nd this year!
2026 Rams drafts selection slots:
1st round #13 overall
1st round #29 overall
2nd round #61 overall
3rd round #93 overall
5th round #167 overall
6th round #205 overall
6th round #208 overall
7th round #232 overall
7th round #250 overall
7th round #256 overall
This should be a fun draft, where I think the Rams will definitely try to work a trade with one of their 1st round picks, whether it be up or down (probably down) or for an established NFL player (CB?).
This is just offensive playmakers.
Once again, I don`t think they would shy away from drafting a smaller school talent.
As far as the top 3 WR`s go, is either Tate, Tyson or Lemon there at #13? One of them should be. Is Boston falling to #29? Probably not. Is Chris Brazzell worth #29?
Who can become a day 2 or day 3 steal? Georgia State`s WR Ted Hurst? (that small school talent). I believe Hurst is the real deal and was happy to see his weight up. Omar Copper Jr? Elijah Sarratt? Deion Burks? Ja'Kobi Lane? Those are all probably day 2 guys.
Are there any day 3 steals at WR in this draft?
Do the Rams take another RB in the middle rounds? Mike Washington Jr. 230lbs running a 4.45 would be hard to pass on if he slips. He`s big, but he can accelerate and get to top speed quickly. Once he hits that second level he can bust some long runs. He had several mid-long range runs in just about every game this year. Can catch the ball out of the backfield as well. Crazy that he`s projected as a 5th rounder. This might be the year the Rams don`t draft another RB, as it may drop Snead`s boy Hunter further down the depth chart. Maybe Jadarian Price or a Kaytron Allen fall some as well.
I know the Rams do not need another TE, but Houston`s Tanner Koziol will be a day 3 steal. 94 catches in 2024 and closed out his career with a 1 TD, 9 catch performance against LSU in the Texas Bowl. 6`6 1/2 weapon.
QB position? Realistically, the Rams have to be thinking that 2026 will be Stafford`s last season. He may have one more, but they cannot rely on that. Do the Rams do what just about every QB needy team is doing and waiting for the 2027 draft? Why do I get the feeling that some of those projected 2027 QB prospects do not declare in 2027 and wait for 2028? Should still be a decent number of good ones next year, but the Rams will have to trade up for one. Another option, is if Bama`s Ty Simpson is on the board at #29 and the Rams like him enough to bring him in and have him mentored by Stafford for a year or two. They more than likely wait for 2027. And of course a future trade for an established NFL QB is always a possibility down the road.
My all around favorite offensive weapon (mostly for ST`s) in this draft is Iowa`s KR/PR/WR Kaden Wetjen. Really hope the Rams land this guy in the draft!
Rams will most certainly draft at least one WR, but may not draft a RB or a TE this draft. Let`s see what happens.
“The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.”
George Bernard Shaw
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2026 06:06PM by PaulButcher59.
