Rams trade up for defensive help in mock draft

Lance Zierlein thinks the Rams should trade up for Jahdae Barron

It has been almost 10 years since the L.A. Rams last traded up in the NFL Draft, but then again Les Snead went seven years without even making a first round pick. Would Snead be willing to trade up in this draft for the right player?

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein is typically one of the better sources for the draft and his mocks contain more nuggets of valuable information than most. In his latest mock draft for NFL.com, Zeirlein has the Rams trading up for Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron at 21.

Les Snead — no stranger to using draft capital aggressively — trades up to grab the best cornerback on the board before the Chargers or Packers can go sniffing around.

Barron is a 5’11, 194 corner who had the second-best athleticism score among all corners at the combine, running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and a 35” vertical. He was a first team All-American in 2024, recording five interceptions.

Zierlein compares him to Tykee Smith, which I guess we can say is a compliment?

Big nickelback was in the right place at the right time throughout his impressive 2024 season. Barron played smothering coverage underneath, fueled by route recognition, footwork and play strength. His instincts allow him to pounce on catch points or tackle pass catchers immediately from zone. However, he lacks recovery speed deep and can be a little too grabby at the top of the route in man. Tackle technique in run support is a shade inconsistent but looks easily correctable. The size and tape work in his favor as a physical nickel who can be an early contributor and future starter, with the potential to cross-train as a safety.

Perhaps no reason makes more sense to move Barron to safety than his sub-30” arms. He could have issues against longer, taller NFL receivers, as well as tackling.

However, Barron is thought of as a real “football fan’s football player” because of his physical play and alpha demeanor. Perhaps on some level, he would be the answer to trading Jalen Ramsey and though he doesn’t compare nearly the same as a prospect or NFL cornerback/STAR, he would bring a level of talent and swagger that the secondary missed last season without him.

Should the Rams trade up for Jahdae Barron or is it better to wait and see what falls to them?