Big deal as Rams grab No. 1 pick – Boston Herald
The Rams have gone Hollywood with one of the splashiest trades in NFL draft history.
As if their return to Los Angeles after more than two decades in St. Louis wasn’t bold enough, they traded for the No. 1 overall selection in this month’s draft. The quarterback-strapped Rams sent a collection of picks to the Tennessee Titans yesterday, freeing the way for the team to likely grab the QB they covet.
Tennessee swapped the top pick to the Rams along with its choices in the fourth and sixth rounds. The Rams will give the Titans their first-round pick (No. 15 overall) along with two second-round selections and their third-round pick in the draft starting April 28. The Titans also will receive the Rams’ first- and third-round draft picks in 2017.
This will be the first time the Rams have held the No. 1 pick since 2010 when they took Sam Bradford, a quarterback they traded to Philadelphia last year. The second-round pick the Rams got in that deal now belongs to the Titans.
After struggling with mediocre quarterback play last season, the Rams almost certainly are looking at Carson Wentz of North Dakota State and Jared Goff of California, considered the top quarterback prospects.
Tennessee certainly benefits, now holding six of this draft’s first 76 picks. General manager Jon Robinson, hired in January, is looking to rebuild a franchise that has gone 5-27 the past two seasons.
“I would say this doesn’t really knock us out of moving back up (in the draft). It doesn’t mean we’re going to. It gives us options,” said Robinson. “My phone it’s still working. Feel free to call.”
The draft-shaking trade also impacts the Cleveland Browns, who have the No. 2 overall pick and have their sights set on landing a quarterback after more than a decade of futility. Also, the Browns recent signing of Robert Griffin III, as a free agent, may lessen the team’s need to address the position.
This is the seventh trade involving the top overall pick since 1990, the first since 2004. That was when San Diego drafted Eli Manning and traded his rights to the New York Giants, with the Chargers winding up with Philip Rivers.
Pats’ Fame finalists
Cornerback Raymond Clayborn, running back Kevin Faulk and linebacker Mike Vrabel are finalists for the 2016 Patriots Hall of Fame, the team said last night. Voting will be conducted on the team website from now until May 14.
Clayborn’s 13-year career included three Pro Bowl selections. His 36 career interceptions remain a team record, tied with fellow cornerback Ty Law. Faulk and Vrabel were both cornerstones of the 2001, 2003 and 2004 Super Bowl-winning teams. In his 13 years with the Pats, Faulk compiled a franchise-best in both all-purpose yards (12,349) and kickoff return yards (4,098). A four-time captain, Vrabel was an All-Pro selection in 2007 after registering 12.5 sacks.
Super Bowl rematch
The NFL season will begin the way the last one ended, with the Denver Broncos playing the Carolina Panthers.
Denver beat Carolina, 24-10, in February in Super Bowl 50, Peyton Manning’s final game. The rematch will be on Thursday night, Sept. 8, in Denver.
Among the highlights for opening weekend is the Rams’ return to Los Angeles as they visit San Francisco in the nightcap of a Monday night doubleheader. Pittsburgh is at Washington in the first game.
Four games will be played abroad, three of them in London, and the NFL returns to Mexico City for the first time in 11 years when Oakland hosts Houston on Nov. 21.
Easley in the clear
Former Patriots defensive tackle Dominique Easley cleared waivers after the 2014 first-round pick was cut on Wednesday. . . .
Minnesota signed defensive end Jared Allen to a ceremonial one-day contract to allow the four-time All-Pro to formally retire as a Viking. Allen spent six of his 12 seasons in Minnesota. Last year he was with Carolina. Allen had 136 career sacks.
