The St. Louis Rams are viewed as the linchpin of the 2014 NFL Draft.
With few glaring starting needs and two top-15 picks (No. 2 and No. 13), the Rams are in a position to field a lot of offers for teams trying trade up.
In a discussion with TheMMQB.com's Greg Bedard, Rams general manager Les Snead said at this point the calls for the No. 2 pick have been "flirtatious" and nothing will be serious until it becomes clearer what direction the Houston Texans will take with the No. 1 overall pick. (Translation: If Jadeveon Clowney still is on the board make sure the cell phone is charged.)
One question for Snead is, without teams clamoring for one of the quarterbacks, what will a trade partner be willing to give up? In 2012, he flipped the No. 2 overall pick (Robert Griffin III) for first-round draft picks in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and a 2012 second-round pick.
Also interesting is the type of deal Snead would demand. Entering his third season steering the Rams, Snead might be in a position where he'd prefer picks in this year's deep draft to stockpiling for the future.
"... I like to say you make the best decision long term because the short term is by definition short -- it won't last as long," Snead said. "But I think you make a good point. Because we're in 2014, this draft is really good, it's a good chance for us to take some shots with picks in this draft to improve the team. Not only tomorrow and opening day, but also four and five years down the road."
The Rams are in a good position, sitting at No. 2 with no obvious starting job at a value position. Snead compared his situation to when the Ravens drafted Hall of Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden and played him at guard for one season. The Rams could do similar if they keep the No. 2 pick and take one of the top-rated offensive tackles.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast", the guys welcome Browns star Joe Haden to the studio and talk about the uncertain future of Chris Johnson.
