I didn’t really want Rams to go after CM, although they apparently did quite aggressively.
CM is an elite talent (when healthy) and Rams love to stockpile those kinds of players. But the huge problem is that he’s missed so many games due to injury. Like almost half of them in last few years? Truly, this was a high-risk, high-reward gamble on the 49ers part.
That was the deal breaker for me. Memories of a high priced Gurley that couldn’t perform because of injury are still too fresh in my mind. Paying top dollar contracts to RB’s has not worked out for teams as a general rule. Better to draft RB each year to keep them fresh and more healthy and spend cap dollars at other positions. At least that’s the policy I currently favor.
Rams have tended to go for elites or near-elites from outside at certain positions, but not all positions. QB, LOT (Big Whit), WR, CB, Edge (Fowler and Floyd). They inherited AD. All key skill players intended for long term. RB is the most perishable position on any team for a reason. They take a beating on so many snaps. So, for whatever reason, Rams have not ‘gone big’ at RB although they were intending to make an exception for CM it appears.
So here’s the deal.
From Rams pov our hated rivals just got a helluva weapon for next 3 years IF they can keep him healthy. Might be a big IF. Probably is if history teaches us anything.
But here’s the good news from Rams pov.
49ers have invested draft capital and significant future cap dollars in a position that is historically injury prone. Now there will be a handful fewer premium draft picks that the 49ers will be able to trot out against the Rams for years. That will be a cumulative negative effect for the 49ers.
49ers still do not have even a near-elite QB and won’t for years.
Rams get to keep their picks and future cap dollars for investment in other areas that might yield better net benefits. For example, Edge and/or RB upgrade before trade deadline.
So I’m at peace with this outcome. The one team I didn’t want to see acquire CM was the 49ers, of course. But I didn’t want Rams to get him even more.
As long as Snead/McVay are running things we can be sure that the Rams will be VERY competitive.
