Los Angeles Rams Make Smart Decision By Trading Up For Star Quarterback

In one of the biggest pre-draft moves in the history of the NFL, the Tennessee Titans have agreed to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft to the Los Angeles Rams. The deal is without a doubt a blockbuster, as the Titans acquired two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and two third-round picks over the next two drafts. The move was a smart one by the Rams, as they needed to add a quarterback to be competitive in the NFC West.

The fact of the matter is that Case Keenum was never going to be the answer at quarterback for the Rams. No matter how many times they said it, it was clear that he was not going to be a quality starter. He has always been a solid backup, but nothing more. The Rams needed to make a move up to target one of the top quarterbacks, and they did just that.

The questions circulating around the Rams’ pick now will not be about what player they will take, but which quarterback. The team has shown interest in both of the top passers in the class, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff, but at the moment it appears as though the latter has the advantage. Goff has the prototypical skills and accuracy to be a great NFL quarterback, and that will likely give him the edge come draft day.

This move is about more than just adding a player at position of need. This is about adding star power. The Rams moved to Los Angeles this offseason, and the fans are going to expect the team to be quickly built into a powerhouse. The city simply loves star power. I mean, look at the sendoff Kobe Bryant got last night from the Lakers’ faithful. Maybe Kobe’s farewell is what encouraged the team to pull the trigger on the deal. Granted, deals like that do not happen overnight, but perhaps watching the support he got over his final games made them realize that moving up was the best option. After all, fans do love superstars.

Regardless, it is hard to imagine L.A. fans cheering on a Keenum-run offense. Yes, they would still have Todd Gurley, but he can only handle so much. Adding a player like Wentz or Goff will at least give the fanbase some hope for the future, and this move will garner a lot of publicity. While giving up a lot of resources may hurt the Rams’ depth, getting their franchise quarterback will make them into a contender in the near future.