Throughout the offseason, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here's a look at what's out there for Wednesday, April 8 about your Los Angeles Rams.
NFL Media's Charley Casserly analyzes Snead's best picks, top value pick and tendencies while on the job
Les Snead has been the Rams' general manager since 2012, drafting 70 players – including five later named to the Pro Bowl – over the last eight years.
In advance of this month's draft, NFL Media analyst Charley Casserly – a former general manager in the league himself – completed an exercise identifying each general manager's best pick, top value pick and tendencies. Here's what he had to say about Snead:
BEST PICK: DT Aaron Donald, 2014 (Round 1, No. 13 overall). He's been one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL for most of his career, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2014 and back-to-back DPOY awards in '17 and '18. Donald is best as a pass rusher, with excellent quickness and penetration to routinely win one-on-one -- and even one-on-two -- matchups.
BEST VALUE PICK: K Greg Zuerlein, 2012 (Round 6, No. 171). Zuerlein is a very accurate kicker with a strong leg, which is where he got his nickname, "Greg The Leg." He's missed a mere six PATs in eight seasons.
DEFINITIVE TRAIT/STYLE: Snead and his staff have a clear vision of what they are looking for at each position, and they value building a true team, not collecting talent. It's imperative that coaches communicate what type of players are useful, so scouts can identify them leading up to the draft. Snead is flexible and able to adapt his method when necessary; he often stays ahead of the curve when the NFL changes or the Rams change coordinators and/or schemes. He has also been aggressive when necessary (e.g. trading up for the first overall pick to get Goff).
Casserly's complete article can be read here.
ESPN picks the best "small-college stud" for the Rams
Elsewhere on the web, ESPN asked its NFL Nation reporters to select the best "small-college stud" for the corresponding team they cover.
Lindsey Thiry, who covers the Rams, chose quarterback Kurt Warner. Here's an excerpt of what Thiry wrote about him:
Warner went undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 1994, was cut by the Packers, worked in an Iowa grocery store and played in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe before the Rams signed him in 1998. He was thrust into the starting lineup in 1999, led the Rams to a Super Bowl title and was named the NFL's MVP.
For the full capsule on Warner, as well as ESPN's picks for the league's other 31 teams, click here.
