The Rams’ Unorthodox Approach

The Rams made some bold decisions in order to win immediately — and now they’re just a win away from a title.

QB Matthew Stafford, OLB Von Miller, and WR Odell Beckham Jr. have all been instrumental to Los Angeles’ playoff success. All three were acquired within the last year.

GM Les Snead eschewed conventional wisdom in trading a large portion of the Rams’ draft picks over the next two seasons. He also made shrewd financial plays to secure key playmakers.

• The Rams acquired Stafford from the Lions by trading QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and first-rounders in 2022 and 2023.
• For Miller, they sent 2022 second- and third-round picks to the Broncos; Denver ate $9 million of the $9.7 million remaining for the last season of Miller’s contract.
• After being released by the Browns, Beckham signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal; he can make $3 million in incentives — which include winning the Super Bowl.
• The Rams own third-, fifth-, and seventh-round picks in 2022, plus second-, third-, fifth-, and sixth-rounders in 2023.

However, L.A. could fall back on compensatory picks: OverTheCap projects the Rams to get five compensatory selections in the 2022 Draft — tied for most in the league.

The Rams (-4.5*) are the betting favorites — and if they beat the Bengals, no one will second-guess their personnel moves.