That was 100% him and not Snead. It's already known that Fisher was paranoid that his old team, the Titans were going to select Joyner at #42, two slots ahead of the Rams original slot at #42. No one really knows if Tennessee were going to do that and I think they even denied it. That being said, if a coach/GM loves a player and gives up a 5th round pick to move up to get him, I think that's exactly what they should do.
On the flip side, if you were upset with the Rams QB and WR situations at the time and were upset they didn't prioritize those positions more and move up just a little more for a Derek Carr or Teddy Bridgewater or just stay where they were at #44 for Garoppolo or one of the WR's such as Allen Robinson I can understand that. At the time Fisher still foolishly had his wagon hitched to Sam Bradford and somehow always seemed to believe his WR corps were strong.
Personally, I was a big Joyner fan coming out of FSU and predicted the Rams would take him in round 2 just because I know what Fisher and Williams like and I saw it as a great fit for them, so for that reason alone I was a fan of the pick, despite the fact that I would have rather made a move for a QB.
The pick I disliked the most in that 2014 draft was Tre Mason in round 3. I think this all came down to Snead's, and the Fisher's ties with Auburn and they got overly giddy for him. I had him as a 4th rounder and thought he was even at best with Devonta Freeman who I had as a 4th and went in the 4th to Atlanta. With that Rams 4th round slot, I was all over guard Trai Turner and MLB Chris Borland there. I would have only went 1/2 since Borland decided to retire. Win some, lose some.
Back to Joyner, I think he will have a good season and prove his naysayers wrong. I don't buy jerseys anymore but if I were currently in the market for a Rams jersey, Joyner might be my top choice. Love his passion for the game and his hard hitting ability.
“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
