If it seems that the Rams have been relishing the fact that they have the first overall pick in the draft, there’s a reason for that. It’s part of what they paid for when moving up from No. 15 to No. 1.
Titans G.M. Jon Robinson explained to Peter King of TheMMQB.com that extent to which the caché of having the No. 1 pick factored in to the price.
“At one point, I told [Rams G.M.] Les [Snead] that the other part of the number one pick is as soon as we’re out, our logo is off and your logo is up, you control the top of the draft, there’s a marketing and branding impact, you’re in the pole position, you’ve got great stuff for Hard Knocks and we’re out,” Robinson said. “To me, there was some value in that. You get two weeks of branding and marketing.”
Robinson is right, and the Rams have been taking full advantage of the branding and marketing that comes from having the No. 1 overall pick, by creating a sense of mystery as to which quarterback they’ll take. Conflicting (perhaps not accidentally) reports regarding whether they will take Carson Wentz or Jared Goff only have added to the suspense.
The Rams still have eight more days to bask in that glow until they’re on the clock -- which perhaps will result in the Rams sliding to No. 2, getting the guy they would have taken at No. 1, and getting back some of what they gave up in order to spend a couple of weeks having the first spot in the selection process.