NFL draft: Rams have a busy day ahead in Rounds 2 and 3

Unlike Round 1, Rams have a busy day ahead on second day of NFL draft

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on March 1, 2018.

Staff Writer

April 24, 2020 12:11 PM PT

Move up, move down or stand pat?

The Rams, first-round spectators during the NFL draft because they did not have a pick, will finally face those questions Friday when the second and third rounds of the NFL draft commence at 4 p.m. PDT.

The Rams have two second-round picks — Nos. 52 and 57 overall — and two third-round selections. They also have one pick in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds that will be held Saturday.

Rams general manager Les Snead said Thursday night that he received no calls seeking trades during the first round. Snead is expected to make and receive inquiries Friday that could improve the Rams’ draft position or enable them to acquire more picks.

“It’s a simple math formula,” Snead said. “Obviously, the further you go up, the more picks you have to give.

“So, it’s one of those, is someone valuable enough to make you give up one of your third rounds, or do you wait a little bit and maybe give up the fourth rounder?... We all know that every now and then there’s a player that’s definitely worth it.

“So, we will certainly monitor it and try to determine whether it’s best to attack or sit back and wait and take who’s there.”

This year’s draft is being conducted virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with coaches and general managers working from their homes. During the first round, teams had 10 minutes between picks. The time is reduced to seven minutes in the second round and five minutes in the third.

Snead said that although the Rams did not get to turn in a pick on Thursday, the process appeared “very smooth: and without glitches. The reduced time between picks, however, could make things interesting Friday.

“You shave three minutes off the shot clock, so that will pose some sort of new variable,” he said.