LA Rams: Ideal gameplan for the 2018 NFL Draft without a first-round pick

1. Trade up and draft a linebacker in the second-round of the 2018 NFL Draft

There is always some sort of draft day movement. It is about as much of a guarantee as the Rams not having a first-round pick.. There will be some team in the second-round of the draft that has no real prospect to latch onto. Thus opening the door for the LA Rams to package three later picks for the one earlier pick.

If I am the Rams, I start with a baseline of two sixth-round picks and one of the team’s fourth-round picks. If that does not work, try three sixth-round picks and the fourth-round pick (the team has four sixth-round picks, after all).

If there is still no team budging, I would go as high as a third and two sixth-round picks to move up into the second round of the draft. That is the worst-case scenario. If the Rams do indeed have to go that route, I would also consider packaging a fourth and sixth round pick together to regain a pick in the third-round.

Regardless, the Rams need to find a route to the second round and draft a linebacker. Los Angeles really only has two weaknesses on the roster (linebacker being one of them) and should look to utilize the draft for a cheaper, yet effective, solution.

Solid inside linebacker options such as Darius Leonard, Malik Jefferson and Leighton Vander Esch may all be available for the Rams to choose from. All three possess unique skill sets that will translate nicely into the NFL.