ST. LOUIS — In a perfect world for the Rams, this is the week they finalize a trade down from the No. 2 slot in the NFL draft April 26-28.
Granted, the actual trade can’t be executed until March 13, the start of the free agency and training period. But you always can agree to terms before that — or at least get close to that — which is what the Rams would like to do before free agents hit the market. Or before teams have much of a chance to kick the tires on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
Manning is due a $28 million roster bonus Thursday, a bonus the Colts almost certainly aren’t going to pay because of Manning’s neck problems. Unless there is a restructured contract between now and then, which also appears unlikely, Manning will be cut and will become a free agent. He could be joined March 13 by prospective free-agent QBs Jason Campbell of Oakland, Matt Flynn of Green Bay, Kyle Orton of Kansas City and Alex Smith of San Francisco.
So there could be more options for quarterback-needy teams, meaning it won’t be as much of a seller’s market for Baylor’s Robert Griffin III (and the Rams’ No. 2 pick).
Working in the Rams’ favor, however, is the rookie wage scale instituted for the 2011 draft class. The No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, received a four-year contract worth $21 million — a huge savings over the last No. 2 pick under the old system, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. He signed a five-year, $68 million deal with Detroit.
In the meantime, the Rams are talking and will continue to talk with potential trade partners. Some possibilities:
• Cleveland (No. 4 pick): The Browns are unwilling at this point to include their second first-round pick, No. 22, as part of any package with the Rams.
• Washington (No. 6): The Redskins appear willing to trade their first-round pick next year, as well as their No. 6 overall pick this year. But they aren’t willing to include their second-rounder this year, which isn’t acceptable to the Rams.
• Miami (No. 8): This one appears to be dead in the water, somewhere off Florida’s Gold Coast. After losing the tug-of-war for coach Jeff Fisher, the Dolphins aren’t eager to do business with the Rams, or do the Rams any favors.
• Seattle (No. 12): No chance. The last thing the Rams want to do is send “RG3” to a division rival and face him twice a year. The same applies for Arizona, which picks 13th.
The Rams don’t deny there are a few “mystery” teams they’re talking to, but the serious contenders remain Cleveland and Washington — and Washington continues to rate as the front-runner, in part because it’s an organization that hasn’t been shy about making the big move under owner Dan Snyder.
