The Rams are in good shape at defensive end with Chris Long and Robert Quinn, but that’s not stopping them from talking to the top defensive end in this year’s draft class.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Rams will meet with Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina on Friday. The Rams own the second overall pick in May’s draft and it’s hard to find anyone who believes Clowney will be on the board much longer than that.
Given the presence of Long and Quinn, the Rams would clearly be drafting the best available player rather than filling their most pressing need if they wound up with Clowney on May 8. There would certainly be ways to make such an arrangement work, but it also bears mentioning that the Rams need to sell the idea that they’d take Clowney if they want to keep open the possibility of making a trade if Clowney makes it past the Texans with the first pick.
The Rams haven’t been shy about broadcasting their willingness to deal the pick for the right offer and General Manager Les Snead has made particular note of the possibility that a team could trade up for Clowney or another non-quarterback.