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AlbaNY_Ram
About those first rounders ...
The Rams haven't had a first round pick since 2016. In the 4 seasons since then they've had a winning record 4 times, made the playoffs 3 times, and played in a Super Bowl.
The team that has had the most first round picks since 2016: the Las Vegas Raiders with 7. They have not had a winning record and have not made the playoffs the last 4 seasons.
The teams next in line with the most first round picks since 2016: the Giant and the Dolphins with 6 each. The Giants best record in the last 4 years is 6-10. The Dolphins have had 1 winning record (10-6 last year) and have not made the playoffs.
What happened to those first round picks that the Rams traded away?
2016 1.15 WR Corey Coleman (CLE)
2017 1.5 WR Corey Davis (TEN)
2018 1.23 OT Isaiah Wynn (NE)
2019 1.31 OT Kaleb McGary (ATL)
2020 1.20 DE K'Lavon Chaisson (JAC)
And what did the Rams get for those first rounders (plus a 6th in 2018 and a 2nd and 6th in 2019)?
Goff
Cooks
Ramsey
Kiser
Long
Rapp
Gaines
Scott
Evans
About the Rams paying to get rid of mistake contracts: the Rams have no dead money in 2022. In 2021, when the Rams have over $34M in dead money, they are either the 2nd or 3rd best bet to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl (depending on what site you use.) And the teams I mentioned before with all the first round picks? The Giants are ahead of only the Lions in the NFC while the Dolphins are 6th and the Raiders are 11th in the AFC.
edit: About the long term effect of first round picks:
Between 2011 and 2015 Seattle had the fewest first round picks with 2. Their win totals from 2011 on: 7, 11, 13, 12, 10, 10, 9, 10, 11, and 12 (with 8 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl win).
Between 2011 and 2015 Minnesota had the most first round picks with 9. Their win totals from 2011 on: 3, 10, 5, 7, 11, 8, 13, 8, 10, and 7 (with 4 playoff appearances).
Cleveland had the second most first round picks with 8. Their win totals from 2011 on: 4, 5, 4, 7, 3, 1, 0, 7, 6, and 11 (with 1 playoff appearance).
)))))
Like they say, the Super Bowl is not won in April.
The draft is important but it is not the be all end all solution to fielding a winning team.