After twice trading down in the second round, the Rams grab a safety, running back, cornerback and offensive tackle on a hectic Day 2 of the NFL draft.
THOUSAND OAKS – After trading down, then trading down, then trading down again, the Rams finally decided to enter the draft fray. They’d waited longer than most – 30 picks on the first day, 30 more on the second – longer than all but one other NFL team (Chicago). But at the end of that lengthy delay, after three trades and nearly two full rounds, the Rams were on the clock again, and a player they’d been eyeing all along remained.
This time, with the 61st pick, the Rams decided to strike, selecting Washington safety Taylor Rapp with their top selection in the draft.
The Rams finally stood pat long enough to make a pick, but they wouldn’t stay idle for long. After trading back three times before making their first pick, the Rams changed course and traded up for two of their next three selections.
Up and down the draft board they flew, riding the draft board like their own personal rollercoaster. After trading down from 31 to 45, then 45 to 56, then 56 to 61 – adding three additional picks along the way – the Rams packaged two late third-round picks (94 and 99) to jump up into the beginning of the third round for Memphis running back Darrell Henderson. They used the 79th pick, earned from their first trade of the draft, to select Michigan cornerback David Long.
