The Los Angeles Rams remain Super Bowl contenders after a 1-1 start to the season because of their star-studded roster and potential.
General manager Les Snead has become known for his "(Expletive) them picks" statement and philosophy over the years. In recent years, the strategy has been to package and send away draft picks for proven talent.
The philosophy led to the acquisition of veteran players such as Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller in exchange for high draft picks. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Ramsey to the Rams during the 2019 season, while Los Angeles acquired Stafford and Miller in 2021.
The Rams reached the Super Bowl during the 2018 and 2021 seasons, winning the latter game against the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20, at SoFi
Stadium.
Stafford remains the veteran leader for the Rams as the organization faces a familiar opportunity with the Super Bowl back in Los Angeles again this season.
Snead made two more trades, adding cornerback Trent McDuffie and edge rusher Myles Garrett during the offseason.
The Cleveland Browns sent Garrett to Los Angeles in exchange for outside linebacker Jared Verse and a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
The Kansas City Chiefs sent McDuffie to the Rams for four draft picks, including a 2026 first-round pick.
When have Rams made a first-round pick?
Since 2017, the Rams have only made a first-round selection twice, selecting Verse with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in 2026.
The Rams drafted quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. He was sent to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Stafford.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How GM Les Snead's philosophy has benefitted the Rams
