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In what NFL.com characterized as "a stunning move that shakes up the top of the draft and almost ensures that the Rams will be starting a rookie quarterback in 2016," the Titans have traded the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to Los Angeles, both teams announced Thursday morning.
The L.A. Times' Sam Farmer subsequently reported the Rams are leaning toward selecting North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, but Cal's Jared Goff is heavily in mix too. SI.com's Peter King is reporting the Rams "have not decided with certainty" who they will select.
Having the first pick, the Rams are free to negotiate with -- and sign -- their player of choice in advance of the draft, but current speculation is they will hold off.
As Profotballtalk.com's Mike Florio put it: "So, unofficially it's Wentz. Officially, the Rams have leaked to King that they don't know 'with certainty' who they'll pick. And they'll apparently adhere to that approach until they are on the clock two weeks from tonight, in order to ensure that the top of the draft will preserve some amount of intrigue."
The Rams, previously selecting at No. 15, are the lowest-picking team in NFL history to trade up to the No. 1 spot. The move, however, did not come cheap.
The Rams were able to make the move in large part because of their deal with the Redskins back in 2012 for a treasure trove of picks that led to the selection of Robert Griffin III. The terms are as follows: Tennessee gets: Rams' first-round pick (2016), two second-round picks (2016) third-round pick (2016), first-round pick (2017), third-round pick (2017).
Rams get: Titans' first-overall pick (2016), fourth-round pick (2016), sixth-round pick (2016).
The acquisition has to be seen as a coup for new Titans general manager Jon Robinson. Already equipped with his quarterback of the future -- Marcus Mariota -- there were needs across the board that can now be addressed immediately with the Titans owning six of the top 76 selections.
This year's draft has been viewed as one of the deepest for certain positions in half a decade, and the Titans now have the chance to fill several holes instead of one.
The Rams, on the other hand, are taking a gigantic risk. NFL Network's Albert Breer reports the Rams already have conducted on-campus workouts with both Wentz and Goff. They likely made the move fearing that the quarterback-needy Browns would take their preferred choice at No. 2.
According to NFL.com's Conor Orr, this is the seventh time since 1990 that the No. 1 pick has been traded. The last? 2004, when the Chargers dealt Eli Manning to the Giants.
This is also the most lucrative draft deal since the 2012 RGIII trade, which netted the Rams a bedrock of franchise players.
As Orr summed up, "The Rams have now truly engrained themselves in Hollywood -- so it goes with an aggressive owner in a new market with a team that has not had a winning record since 2003 or a playoff appearance since 2004." The team is also participating in HBO's training camp series, Hard Knocks, this August in an effort to drum up interest and acquire new fans in Los Angeles.
The last time the Rams attempted to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, they ended up with Sam Bradford. This time it will be Wentz or Goff, one of whom will be expected to quickly move ahead of Case Keenum and Nick Foles on the depth chart, although NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggests Keenum could still be the Week 1 starter.
Along with Bradford, the Rams have also started Nick Foles, Case Keenum, Austin Davis, Shaun Hill, Kellen Clemens and A.J. Feely in that timespan.
Their desire for a true franchise quarterback is certainly understandable.
As for Wentz? The 6-5, 237-pounder was productive as all get out the last two seasons with 42 TD passes over that span. He showed his athleticism by running in another six scores last year. He appears to be as smart as he is athletic. The question is his level of competition.
Whether the Rams go with Wentz or Goff, with Jeff Fisher as head coach, one thing is certain: The Rams offense will continue to run through Todd Gurley and fantasy owners will have to draft him accordingly.
And Tennessee?
With their quarterback of the future -- Marcus Mariota -- already on board, the Titans now own six of the top 76 selections when the draft starts two weeks from now. In a draft loaded with depth, the Tennessee GM Jon Robinson will have an opportunity to fill many holes.