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BumRap
We are looking for value on a budget. Without being in the position to draft the next Aaron Donald at any position.
All teams are looking for value, esp. in the draft. The Rams should have never been in position to draft AD. In hindsight, he should have been #1 overall. You can find high impact players throughout the draft, it is just tougher. Bobby Wagner was a 2nd rounder, Russ was a 3rd, I'll ignore Brady, Adam Theilen was undrafted and was considered a top 5 WR before last season. ADs and Brady's are generational and although that might be the goal going into a draft, its not THE goal.
I am sorta deflated that our maverick approach seems to be hitting a point of diminishing returns.
Is it though? If you said this isn't exactly sustainable, I'd agree. So maybe that is the same as diminishing returns. Or very similar.
I think what we have proven is we want to stay relevant by making splashy win now moves trading for the tradeable talents that once were players drafted in 1st round but giving up twice the capital.
If by relevant, you mean a winner, yes. Thats kinda the point. I prefer that to the Browns method of drafting high for years and years without ever winning. Sure they finally got it right with Miles Garrett and Baker Mayfield, but it took what? 15 years. I prefer the Rams method over the factory of sadness.
UFA has always been available to any team. So what have we learned that will increase our gains and improve our results.
The Rams have used UFA, and done well. Whit, Fowler, Floyd, Woods. So they are blending UFA with trades and the draft.
There really are few shortcuts that are without consequence.
Sure, but every action in life has a consequence. Its all about if you are willing to accept the consequences for your actions or shortcuts. THe Rams apparently are.
We get to watch future high impact talent get drafted by others and best we can do is pay the price plus future capital down the line to get a shot at their talent. It is not a winning strategy any more. Most gambles are not.
The draft is the biggest gamble in football. And high impact first rounders like Greg Robinson, Jason Smith, Lawrence Phillips, Trung Canidate, Tye Hill, Adam Carriker, Robert Thomas, Jimmy Kennedy? Or high impact later round guys like Cooper Kupp, JJ3, Ike Bruce, Roger Saffold, Leonard Little?
So they minimize the risk or gamble that is the draft and trade for well established, quality players. I'd say what the Rams are doing is the exact opposite of your gambling isn't a winning strategy. You won't get fired for missing on 3rd and 4th round picks, you will for missing on 1st rounders.
Gambling is not a long term strategy. Why? Because time and chance is not controllable. The luck factor is not a gameplan.
Plenty of people make a living gambling. I could bore you to death about how farmers are gamblers. What to plant, when to sell, when not to sell, etc etc. Vegas is filled with professional gamblers. You are correct, luck is not a gameplan, but smart gamblers know how to minimize risk while maximizing rewards. Poker players use the term pot odds.
It's why teams punt and kick FGs
Great post btw. And for the record, I agree its not sustainable because at some point you will run out of first round picks or trade partners for a piece you need. I also miss the heck out of the first round.
