In order to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive NFC West, the St. Louis Rams are reportedly considering a trade up in the 2015 NFL draft to land Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report provides the scoop, along with the caveat that St. Louis could also be in the mood to trade down:
5. Hearing the Rams could move up for Amari Cooper, and if they can’t move up, they could move back. Wildcard team.
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) April 30, 2015
Such a typical report this time of year, offering two separate takes on the same team in the same breath.
That said, it’s not crazy to think this is a viable rumor.
Despite spending a No. 8 overall pick just two years ago on West Virginia wide receiver and human pinball Tavon Austin, the Rams still don’t have a true No. 1 receiver on the roster. It’s too early to put the “bust” label on Austin, but it’s clear he’s more of a complementary player than a cornerstone.
A quick look at the team’s depth chart reveals the cupboard is essentially bare at the receiver position. Oft-troubled Kenny Britt appears to be the only other pass-catcher that could potentially scare opposing defensive coordinators on Sundays this upcoming season.
Adding a plug-and-play starter like Cooper, who many consider to be the clear-cut top receiver in this year’s draft, would immediately fill a need.
The biggest obstacle towards achieving this reported goal is obviously a willing trade partner, but thankfully for the Rams that shouldn’t be an issue this year. At one point or another, at least three of the top five teams selecting in this year’s draft have suggested they are actively taking calls to move down.
The price to make such a deal is the other obvious obstacle. It’s never a cheap proposition, but if the Rams truly believe Cooper will help propel their offense to a level that will tip the scales in the NFC West, then it’s worth the risk to move up.
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