The Los Angeles Rams were rumored to be interested in trading up for Brock Bowers in Round 1, a player they coveted, prior to the draft. They were contacting teams in the run-up to the first round to see how much it would cost to move up for him, but they were never able to come to an agreement to move up from No. 19 overall.
“NFL Draft: The Pick Is In,” a new behind-the-scenes series from NFL Films and Roku, was just released on Friday, and it demonstrates how hard the Rams tried to trade up for both Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II and Bowers. When Les Snead and Sean McVay attempted to trade up from No. 19 to almost any team in the top 10, they were consistently turned down.
The Rams targeted Braden Fiske later in the day, in addition to Bowers, Murphy, and Jared Verse in the first round.
“If we get Bowers, Murphy, Verse, and even Fiske,” said Les Snead.
The Jets received the first offer at No. 10. Before the Jets moved back one spot to No. 11, this was the Rams’ initial offer to New York.
Rams are awarded: No. 10.
Jets receive: 19 and 52
Following the Jets’ one-place return, Snead and General Manager Joe Douglas once again discussed a trade.
Snead: “May I ask you a question? In the third round, if we added our 99, and you guys returned 185,.
Rams receive: 11, 185; Jets receive: 19, 52, 99
Although Douglas reassured Snead that the Jets wouldn’t select Bowers at No. 11, the Rams remained concerned.
Snead: “No, he said he’s not taking your guy,” he informed James Gladstone, the Rams scouting director.
If Bowers fell that far, McVay was certain the Colts would grab him at No. 15, so the Rams continued to consider their choices before Indianapolis.
McVay: “We don’t get Bowers if we can’t outpace Indianapolis. I’m saying that Indiana will take Bowers. There is no possibility if we can’t outpace Indianapolis.
The Rams felt the Broncos would select Bo Nix at No. 12, and to Snead and McVay’s delight, they did just that. As a result, they moved their focus to the Raiders at No. 13.
Snead: “I was curious if anyone would like to attend 19?” “We’d give you our 52 and ask for your fourth back, 112,” he said to Raiders general manager Tom Telesco.
Rams receive: 11, 2, 13,
Raiders receive: 19 and 52
Nothing to do. The Rams offered to trade for Bowers, but the Raiders declined.
Although we thought the player was great, one of the other 31 people thought so too, and they chose him. Snead stated, “That’s simply the way the draft is.
At that point, the Rams focused on Murphy, another player. They selected Murphy in the first round because they liked what he would bring to the table as a defensive lineman now that Aaron Donald was gone.
McVay sought to get the Texas defender in a very assertive manner.
McVay: “We’ll be practical, but make an effort to pursue Murphy.” This is a guy I would try to get. He has had a profound impact on me. I merely don’t think he’ll survive to be 16. He’s far superior than everyone, not that I’m arguing that’s reckless.
Snead: “It’s not a big deal. That isn’t inherited.
McVay: “But it’s aggressively intelligent.”
The Rams realized the Seahawks would probably select Murphy with the first pick, so the Colts, sitting at No. 15, presented an ideal opportunity for them to try to move up.
Snead extended this offer to the Colts, but it was likewise rejected; as a result, Indianapolis acquired Laiatu Latu.
Rams are awarded: 15, 191.
Colts receive: 19, 99, and 154
The Rams gave up trying to advance after watching Murphy get off the board since both of their main targets had been eliminated.
McVay: “All right, let’s get started. We’re going to have to wait and see how we want to handle this.
As one of the final players they would think about choosing at No. 19 without moving down, Verse was always on their radar.
“If Verse goes, do you think about trading back?” asked Snead.
McVay: “Unquestionably. Of course, if he leaves,. I would take a step back. If not, remain there and pick him up.
And the Rams did precisely that. Verse, an eloquent and fervent player on the verge, was their choice.
McVay remarked, “He’s an expletive, in a good way.”
The complete episode of “NFL Draft: The Pick Is In” is available to stream on Roku.
