I’m sure Los Angeles Rams fans, draft aficionados and those related to Carson Wentz or Jared Goff have a tough 10 days ahead of them, because it’s become clear the Los Angeles Rams won’t be striking a deal with — or announcing — their No. 1 draft pick between now and then.
General manager Les Snead did admit in a conversation Monday with Dan Patrick that there’s a “leader in the clubhouse,” but brass has continually insisted since trading for the top pick that nothing will be confirmed until draft night in Chicago — even though it’s almost a certainty they know which direction they’re going to go.
Can anyone blame them? For starters, not revealing the pick makes draft night considerably more entertaining than it would be otherwise. And if you think that doesn’t matter to sports franchises, you’re underestimating how much value these teams place on entertainment. The draft is a huge product for the NFL, and the best way to sell it is to maintain as much drama as possible.
Plus, there are risks associated with revealing the pick now. You never know what might happen. Maybe trades made elsewhere in the top 10 shift the dynamics enough to cause somebody to make an offer that can’t be refused. Maybe something dramatic happens that causes the front office to change its mind.
There’s no upside to revealing the pick, only risk.
Now the question is whether Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher can avoid leaks for the next week and a half.
