2026-27 NFL Thread

[Pakuni]

I get what you're saying, but cap management is a skill.  Rams wouldn't be able to build a star power team next year if this year tanks.

Why wouldn't they? As of now, the Rams have the 4th most available cap space heading into 2027, per Spotrac. And they'd be first if Stafford retires after this season.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/_/year/2027

[Uncle Rico]

Why wouldn't they? As of now, the Rams have the 4th most available cap space heading into 2027, per Spotrac. And they'd be first if Stafford retires after this season.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/_/year/2027

Then they've managed the cap well.

[WhiteTrash]

Then they've managed the cap well.

They draft well too.

[MUBurrow]

I wonder if the Rams willingness to trade their first rounder every year is hitting on a dissonance between the value of draft pick cost control vs the crapshoot of talent evaluation. Like, have we reached a place where teams overvalue the star potential of first round picks compared to proven players, and you can just use those as trade bait and pay stars so long as you fill the more fungible positions with low cost draftees?

[Uncle Rico]

I wonder if the Rams willingness to trade their first rounder every year is hitting on a dissonance between the value of draft pick cost control vs the crapshoot of talent evaluation. Like, have we reached a place where teams overvalue the star potential of first round picks compared to proven players, and you can just use those as trade bait and pay stars so long as you fill the more fungible positions with low cost draftees?

I think it depends on the draft year.  But your point might be onto something.  There is a large concern within NFL circles that development at the college level is as bad as it has ever been, especially with the constant roster churn.

[Pakuni]

I wonder if the Rams willingness to trade their first rounder every year is hitting on a dissonance between the value of draft pick cost control vs the crapshoot of talent evaluation. Like, have we reached a place where teams overvalue the star potential of first round picks compared to proven players, and you can just use those as trade bait and pay stars so long as you fill the more fungible positions with low cost draftees?

That's 100 percent the Rams' strategy. I just don't think many/any other teams have matched their talent for finding impact players on days 2 and 3 of the draft (see: Nacua, Lake, Fiske, Young, Turner, etc.).

[WhiteTrash]

I think it depends on the draft year.  But your point might be onto something.  There is a large concern within NFL circles that development at the college level is as bad as it has ever been, especially with the constant roster churn.

This explains the Browns.