Wednesday, April 15, 2026

The Rams’ Unorthodox Approach

  • 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.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Illinois Politicians Continue Push to Keep Bears in State 

A proposed bill would let the Bears negotiate local tax rates.

Patriots to Hold Their Pre-NFL Draft Presser Without Mike Vrabel

New England EVP Eliot Wolf will meet with reporters Monday.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) fumbles as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) in the second half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium

StubHub to Pay $10M to Settle FTC Case Over NFL Ticket Fees

The company was charged with purposely delaying compliance with a rule.

Billionaire Broncos Owners Buy 40% of Rockies

The Rockies have finished last in the NL West four straight years.

Featured Today

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.

Pirates Break From Frugal Past With Record $140M Konnor Griffin Deal

The low-budget club signs the rookie phenom to a historic contract.
April 7, 2026

Red Sox Skid, Liverpool Unrest Puts FSG Under Mounting Pressure

Fans of two Fenway Sports Group–owned teams are growing restless.
April 7, 2026

Three MLB Teams Move Games to Avoid Cold Weather

The Guardians, White Sox, and Mets are moving night games.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Aug 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) looks on from the team bench during the first half against the Connecticut Sun at College Park Center.
April 2, 2026

Will a Star Get Picked in the WNBA Expansion Draft?

The Fire and Tempo have just five weeks to assemble their teams.
April 1, 2026

Goodell: Tisch Is No Longer Giants Owner, No Policy Violation

The commissioner says the league has “not found anything that’s a violation.”
Construction on the Northwest corner of EverBank Stadium continues with construction during a press conference at the Miller Electric Center, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla.
April 1, 2026

Jags to Play 2027 Season in Orlando While Stadium Work Continues

The NFL team completed the long-expected deal for the temporary relocation.
April 1, 2026

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.”