The Los Angeles Rams have had to do their due diligence for the 2020 NFL Draft under some severe restrictions placed by the league in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Rams endured their fair share of notable losses in free agency and will need to make a few splashes in this year’s draft in order to help fill the notable voids left on their roster. Unfortunately, the ongoing outbreak has prevented them from gathering very much firsthand knowledge.
Like the draft, Los Angeles has had to do homework from remote locations while under quarantine. Although there was initially some concern about how the new restrictions have affected the process, it seems that has hardly been the case.
Rams general manager Les Snead says the biggest challenge has come from a technical standpoint, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“The plan from here is really get with our IT department and make sure each home is is locked and loaded from an IT standpoint,” Snead said on a video conference last week. “Interestingly, in today’s time, we’re probably finding the number one obstacle is somebody who has an actual phone line, a hard line.”
Snead added that the distractions that come with working at home are nothing more than a minor obstacle:
“I think big picture, right, less distraction at home, probably depending on the age of your kids,” Snead said, chuckling. “But less distraction at home, more specific preparation for meetings and intentional about your communication. You can make this work, for sure.”
It is certainly encouraging that the transition has not had too much of an impact on the team’s day-to-day operations. While the conditions are hardly ideal, the scouting department must make due with the resources at their disposal in order to ensure that they are clicking on all cylinders come draft day.
Despite coming off a disappointing 2019 campaign, expectations remain as high as ever heading into the 2020 NFL season as they get set to usher in a new era at SoFi Stadium. They will need to find a way to get the most out of their seven picks if they hope to spark a potential resurgence.
Fortunately, there is good reason to be confident given Snead and head coach Sean McVay’s track record when it comes to finding hidden gems outside of the first round. They are in position to make a few more splashes once again with two second-round picks and two third-round picks.
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