The Rams had suitors for Sam Bradford early in the offseason, and could have parted ways with the quarterback they inherited from Billy Devaney’s regime. But St. Louis never seriously entertained the notion. Coach Jeff Fisher believes Bradford can become the best quarterback in football, and rookie G.M. Les Snead decided early in the process that Bradford wouldn’t be made available for trade.
“No,” Snead told Albert Breer of NFL.com when asked whether he considered such a move. “The only time it might’ve crossed my mind was if, for some reason, we were to get stuck [holding the No. 2 overall pick] because we didn’t get what we really wanted. Do you take the kid [Robert Griffin III] and trade him from there?
“That might’ve been the only time, and that would’ve been the riskiest of risky moves. But I’ll be clear: We decided early on that Sam was our quarterback.”
According to Breer, the Rams initially talked trade with six different teams involving the second overall pick. Five were willing to make a deal before free agency. The other preferred to wait until “later in the offseason.”
Only the Redskins met St. Louis’ asking price.
On March 9, St. Louis and Washington agreed on a deal sending the rights to Griffin to the Redskins. The Rams acquired the Nos. 6 and 39 picks in the 2012 draft, in addition to two future first-rounders. On draft day, Snead shipped the sixth pick to Dallas in exchange for Nos. 14 and 45. The 45th pick was then sent to Chicago for Nos. 50 and 150.
With the picks acquired, Snead selected defensive tackle Michael Brockers (14), cornerback Janoris Jenkins (39), running back Isaiah Pead (50), and guard/tackle Rokevious Watkins (150).
And the Rams still have Bradford, with two first-round picks left to go.