On the surface, running back is by no means a pressing need for the Los Angeles Rams. They have Kyren Williams atop the depth chart, who they just extended last offseason, as well as Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter behind him.
However, there are few running backs in football like Jeremiyah Love, the standout from Notre Dame. That's why several draft analysts have proposed the idea of the Rams trading up from No. 13 overall to select Love in the top 10.
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated has them doing just that in his latest mock draft, but they don’t just go into the top 10. They make a massive move into the top five, striking a deal with the Tennessee Titans for the fourth overall pick.
Not only do the Rams give up their top three picks this year at No. 13, 61 and 93, but they also trade away their 2027 first-round pick. In return, they get the fourth overall pick and No. 101.
Projected trade: Titans receive Nos. 13, 61, 93 and a 2027 first-round pick; Rams receive Nos. 4 and 101
This is a nightmare scenario for the Cardinals, who would not trade their own top-five pick within the division but have now watched Les Snead swoop up to nab the top offensive playmaker in the draft. Remember how in the Rams were on Christian McCaffrey? Love is a physical back who lives for outside zone (which is a small part of the McVay offensive lexicon but showcases his patience and brilliance) and can help protect Matthew Stafford on the back end. While there isn’t necessarily a game-changing receiver that fits into the Rams’ universe, Love, in what could be Stafford’s final season, may conquer all. The Titans may like the idea of having a 2027 chip to play with if the new coaching staff decides Cam Ward isn’t the long-term answer.
As good as Love is, the Rams would be crazy to make this trade. They’d essentially be using two first-round picks and a second-rounder on a running back, which when considering positional value is hard to get behind.
They had the most efficient running game in the NFL last season, boasting two running backs who averaged at least 4.8 yards per carry and finishing seventh in total rushing yards as a team. That was with former fifth- and third-round picks in the backfield, too.
Would Love be a great fit for the Rams? Absolutely. He could be the next Todd Gurley for them. But trading that much for a running back wouldn’t be worth it.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams make massive trade up for Jeremiyah Love in mock draft