Rams GM Snead in talks to trade No. 2 overall pick

Les Snead is flirting with teams about his No. 2 overall pick. (USATSI)

More NFL offseason: Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Pro Days | Top free agents

The Rams, because they traded away the right to draft No. 2 overall in the 2012 draft so the Redskins could take Robert Griffin III, have the No. 2 overall and the No. 13 overall picks in this year's draft.

Aside from the Texans at No. 1 overall, the Rams might have the most leverage or power of any squad in the draft, mostly because they don't need a franchise quarterback and they have a pretty decent left tackle in Jake Long (so they wouldn't necessarily need to draft Auburn tackle Greg Robinson, as four of the five CBSSports.com mock drafters are predicting-- unless they wanted to place him on the right side of the line). Jadeveon Clowney would be a strong pick, but St. Louis already has one of the best pass-rushers, Robert Quinn, on its team.

So, why not think about a trade? That seems to be the thought process of Rams general manager Les Snead, who told theMMQB.com's Greg Bedard that St. Louis has been talking to teams.

“We have had some conversations with multiple teams,” Snead said. “They're more flirtatious calls than anything. We have numbers 2 and 13, but Houston has No. 1. Nobody can really seriously chat with us until they are happy with at least two players. I think what might happen as we get closer to the draft, maybe it comes to fruition what Houston is going to do, maybe it doesn't, you have more serious talks probably the week of the draft going, ‘Hey, if our player is there at 2, this is what we're going to offer.' I think it will get more serious.”

Making matters even better for Rams are the depth of this year's draft and the notion that a number of players could fit into the top-2 taken (Clowney, Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, Robinson, Teddy Bridgewater, maybe even Khalil Mack all are legitimate players that could be grabbed at either No. 1 or No. 2).

“I actually think there's more than one player that people would want to move up for. I just don't know what they'd want to give to move up,” Snead said. “At the top maybe there's four or five players who were one step or one notch ahead of the very good, and sometimes a team might say we need to get that guy. You don't know the value of what people would be willing to give. The fact that there could be multiple teams eyeing one of those guys could drive up the price a little bit.”

Much of it, of course, might depend on what the Texans do with their pick. Though a selection like Clowney or one of the quarterbacks would make sense for Houston, it's been reported that the team also wouldn't mind trading down.

"Maybe we'll trade down and still get a quarterback that can do the job and get an outstanding defensive player," Texans owner Bob McNair said in January. "It's an exciting time. Everything's a moving target. Lot of different pieces."

And lots of different teams who might want to take a crack at either the No. 1 or No. 2 selections. For now, we wait, because by this time next week, a team's thought process might have changed completely.

NFL Hot News

Cleveland acquires former Lions WR Burleson



The Cleveland Browns have added a veteran wide receiver to line up opposite franchise superstar, Josh Gordon in 2014. Former Detroit Lions wideout Nate Burleson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.Burleson is an 11 year NFL veteran. He spent the last four seasons in Detroit. In nine games in 2013, he caught 39 passes for 461 yards and one touchdown. Due to injuries, Burleson has only played a combined 15 games the past two seasons.



Burleson isn't a stud by any means, but he's a huge step up from what they had as their #2 wideout last season, which was either the less-than-sure-handed Greg Little or the troubled Davone Bess, depending on the week. Their 2nd best pass-catcher was tight end Jordan Cameron, who was an extremely pleasant surprise, hauling in 80 balls for 917 yards and seven touchdowns.Burleson missed a couple months last season due to a pizza-related car accident that left him with a broken arm, but he was effective when he played. He won't be a standout fantasy player in Cleveland, as they are currently showing Brian Hoyer as their quarterback. There is a chance that could be addressed through the draft, in which the Browns own the #4 overall pick.The real winner in this could possibly be stud receiver Josh Gordon. He finished the 2013 season with 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. His yardage total was tops in the league. He did all this with the lack of a #2 that was a threat, and despite having three different starting QB's, as Hoyer, Jason Campbell, and Brandon Weeden took turns at the position.WIth the addition of Burleson, if they address their QB dilemma through the draft, Gordon could actually IMPROVE on last season. He missed two games. He didn't have a quarterback. He still led the league in receiving yards. It may be unfair to him, but he SHOULD have a better season... Think about that.