How Many Compensatory Picks Will Rams Have in 2024 NFL Draft?
The Los Angeles Rams won their Super Bowl and stared down the barrel of a rebuild, without the luxury of its first-round pick until the 2024 NFL Draft. After a Super Bowl hangover that cast uncertainty upon the future of the franchise, they rebounded in a big way this season.
Going 10-7 and clinching a playoff berth means the Rams exceeded every expectation in 2023. They did so without the cap space to bring in marquee free agents or a first-round pick to give themselves the best chance at a blue-chip talent.
Los Angeles’ improbable run was fueled by the health of its biggest stars and the ascension of its rookie class – full of mid-to-late-round selections – that gave them an edge few anticipated.
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A fifth-round pick, receiver Puka Nacua set the rookie record for catches and receiving yards while establishing himself as a star. Third-round selections edge rusher Byron Young and defensive tackle Kobie Turner were integral pieces to a defense that was anonymous to most of the football world heading into the year. Second-round guard Steve Avila is a consistent starter and a smattering of later picks stepped up at various points.
General manager Les Snead’s success outside of the first round has turned the Rams from the model of playoff runs coming home to roost to a team in striking distance of some late-January football.
He may get even more opportunities in April.
The official list of compensatory picks – granted to teams for losing free agents in the previous offseason – is yet to be released. However, Over The Cap released its comp-pick projections, and Los Angeles is expected to have four.
Fans can reasonably expect the Rams to be awarded a fifth-round pick for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and sixth-rounders for Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Gay, New York Giants defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, and Cincinnati Bengals safety Nick Scott.
Four picks is the maximum a team can receive through this process. Snead hit that count in each of the last two offseason, giving Los Angeles more darts to throw.
The Rams may have a first-round pick to their name for the first time since 2016, but the importance of compensatory picks will persist as long as Snead is the one calling the shots.
