The Rams are the widely proclaimed Super Bowl favorites as the NFL season nears.Their star-studded roster with quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Puka Nacua, and pass rusher Myles Garrett could soon add defensive tackle extraordinaire Aaron Donald if he makes his expected return from retirement.
They are, at first glance, a case study in how a team can utilize the salary cap accounting rules to stretch the NFL’s spending limit sufficiently to accommodate such a glitzy group of on-field standouts that includes both the reigning league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. They have embraced their all-in, seize-the-moment reputation once again, hearkening back to GM Les Snead wearing a “Fuck them picks” shirt at the team’s last Super Bowl parade.
The truth about the Rams’ roster-construction methodology is far more nuanced than “fuck them picks” and collecting proven, expensive veterans, however. Their football-side brain trust of Snead, assistant GM John McKay, and coach Sean McVay has actually used the draft quite effectively—just in rounds other than the first. Those picks have given Los Angeles a foundation of young, comparatively inexpensive, and cap-friendly talent that complements the big-name, high-priced, attention-grabbing additions.
