Protocols playing key role in Rams’ draft conditions
‘Don’t expect much action from us on Thursday unless we maybe trade up into the first round, which, knowing Les and the Rams, you never know.’ — Sean McVay
The infinity pool glistened in the coastal sunshine. Flames in the fireplace accented the immaculately staged modern living room. And sleek desks, computer monitors and TV screens filled other airy rooms in the sprawling Malibu house where the Rams plan to conduct the NFL draft.
The only missing on-site element Tuesday for a predraft news conference?
Coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead.
On Monday, both were exposed to a person who had COVID-19, McVay said, so the scheduled in-person event at the showcase venue was conducted with McVay and Snead answering questions from their homes virtually.
“Just following the protocols,” McVay said on a videoconference call. “We wanted to be smart and, hopefully, as long as we remain asymptomatic and our tests come back negative … we’ll be able to have fun.”
The Rams — for the fifth consecutive year — do not have a first-round pick in the draft, which begins Thursday in Cleveland. Barring trades, the Rams’ picks are No. 57 in the second round, No. 88 and No. 103 in the third, No. 141 in the fourth, No. 209 in the sixth and No. 252 in the seventh.
McVay said he and Snead still plan to conduct the draft in Malibu if they remain asymptomatic and continue to test negative.
“As long as that’s the case, we’ll be able to get it going on Friday,” McVay said. “Don’t expect much action from us on Thursday unless we maybe trade up into the first round, which, knowing Les and the Rams, you never know.”
The Rams already made several big offseason moves. In January, they traded quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft, and two future first-round picks to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford. They also resigned edge rusher Leonard Floyd and signed free-agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
Despite the departures of center Austin Blythe, receiver Josh Reynolds, safety John Johnson, cornerback Troy Hill, outside linebacker Samson Ebukam and defensive linemen Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox, McVay said the Rams “don’t have any major glaring holes” that would require a rookie to start.
But the Rams have immediate and not-so-distant future needs on the offensive line, interior defensive line, and at inside linebacker, cornerback and kick returner, among other positions.
McVay and Snead said Brian Allen and Coleman Shelton could play center, and that other young linemen are versatile enough to play the position if necessary.
Not surprisingly, neither Snead nor McVay offered any hint about positions they might target with the pick at No. 57.
“Like we have in the past, we try to work and figure out which players at what position might be in and around, as we said, swimming in that part of the pool,” said Snead, who has a history of trading back in the draft for more picks.
Asked to assess inside linebackers as a group in this draft class, Snead said, “I’ll keep my true assessment in-house,” adding, “That’s a very important position to scrutinize.”
The pandemic affected the college football schedule, led to cancellation of the NFL scouting combine and affected other opportunities for pro scouts to see prospects in person. Some prospects opted out of playing their college seasons.
But McVay said that would not affect evaluations.
“The tape is always the best guiding light,” McVay said.