Implications of Rams-Redskins Trade

As you may know by now, the Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams pulled off a pre-draft blockbuster trade sending the Rams' second overall pick in the draft to the Redskins. In return, the Rams receive the Redskins' first round pick (number 6 overall), the Redskins' second round pick (number 39 overall), and the Redskins' first rounder in 2013 and 2014. It is without question that the Rams received the better end of this trade. They managed to secure 3 first rounders (with the potential of adding another), as well securing a Top 10 player in this year's draft. A big win for Les Snead in his first year.

The only problem I see with this trade is that the Rams may have traded down a bit too far. To me, this draft has only six "really elite" players. That is, none of these players should fall past pick six: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon, Matt Kalil, and Trent Richardson. Unfortunately, the Rams may be stuck picking the last person of the group in Richardson. Richardson (along with Luck and RGIII) play positions that the Rams have no need for. Don't get me wrong, the Rams could use talent behind Steven Jackson in the backfield, but spending it on a player this high is just too much. Richardson could become a great back, but he's going to be no use to the Rams if our O-line continues to struggle and our defense doesn't allow us to run time off the clock. The Rams could be in the thick of another draft trade, either slightly up or down. They have all the tools to do it, and with the Vikings and Browns (who, coincidentally, tried to trade with the Rams before the Redskins deal was announced) wanting to trade down, the Rams could still be in the middle of the top 5 selections. What will really count, though, are those future first rounders. Depending on how Robert Griffin III does for the 'Skins, the Rams could be on the road to recovery in the years to come.