I consider that a (costly) learning experience. I don't think Snead drops 5 spots any more unless there are 6 guys the Rams would be equally happy picking.
The trade itself wasn't necessarily a mistake - I have no problem with the Rams trading from 45 to 50 in principle. The mistake Snead made in this case was trading down 5 spots expecting one of two guys to still be available at 50: Wagner or Kendricks. When those two guys went at 46 & 47 and the Rams were screwed.
Now, if the scenario was that the Rams had 6 guys rated equally when they were on the clock at 45 then they could trade down to 50 and guarantee that at least one of them would still be available. That pretty much makes the trade a no-risk proposition, and as far as I know that's how Snead has managed all of the Rams draft-day trades since that epic failure.
Costly lesson for sure, but it appears that the lesson was learned.
AlbaNY_Ram
