Draft buzz is in full swing after the scouting combine this past weekend. Robert Griffin III was one of the top performers and was probably the most talked about name after he ran his 40 yard dash. The St. Louis Rams hold the key to Robert Griffin III's future and to how exactly this draft could pan out. Adam Schefter reported this week that they fully intend to trade the pick, it's just a question of when and where.
When Should The Rams Trade The Second Overall Pick?
Rams will trade No. 2 pick. Only question is where. Chargers once got two 1s, a 3 and a 5 for Eli Manning. Rams likely to get similar deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2012
There are a couple of windows in which the Rams could trade the pick. They could: trade it straight away when free agency starts and trading opens up, wait until Griffin’s pro day, trade it the week of the draft or they could wait until draft day.
As of right now, there are multiple organisations that would be interested in a trade to land them Griffin III. The Browns, Dolphins, Redskins and Seahawks are all thought to be interested; while there is bound to be another team or two nobody has heard from. With all these teams currently involved, the Rams can hold an auction and reel in a mass amount of picks when free agency starts.
If they wait until Griffin's pro-day, they risk less teams being involved. Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn are likely to become free agents and would presumably take two teams out of the equation for Griffin. However, Griffin's pro-day will inevitably draw even more hype. There's a pretty good chance that at least two teams fall in love with Griffin, which is all the Rams need to start a bidding war for the pick.
The Rams may wait until the week of the draft. This way they could call the teams interested to let them know the price to secure Griffin and avoid a manic scramble for him on draft day. The Rams would be able to set a high price in hopes that someone is desperate enough for him that they’ll pay it to make sure they don’t get outbid on draft day.
Finally, the Rams could just wait until the day of the draft. This is what the popular opinion would appear to be. It gives the teams interested the longest time possible to fall in love with Griffin and draws out the desperation to get him. The risk here would be that all the teams interested have already sorted out a back-up plan and have had the time to think sensibly about how much they are willing to give up.
From my point of view, if I’m the Rams GM, I’d be looking to trade the pick as soon as free agency opens. Griffin’s hype will still by high from the combine and all the quarterback needy teams haven’t had a chance to bring in, or even talk to, the likes of Manning and Flynn. This scenario would have the maximum number of teams in the bidding and that can only drive up the price. I’d also note, why would the Rams leak to Schefter that they are definitely trading the pick unless you’re looking to drive up the price right now? If they don’t trade it as soon as possible, they’ve lost leverage with that leak. Teams will know the pick is available and it becomes less valuable the longer is stays available. Previously the Rams could have said they might be interested in Griffin which would have given them more leverage the closer to the draft it got.
So my question to you is, if you’re the Rams GM, when would you trade the pick?
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