NFL Rumors: Rams Would Be Foolish to Move Up in Draft at Sam Bradford's Expense

The St. Louis Rams are engaged in trade talks with the Cleveland Browns that could shake up the 2012 NFL Draft.

Sound familiar? It should, after the Browns were among the top suitors to snag St. Louis' No. 2 overall pick for the chance to add Baylor's Robert Griffin III.

Except now, with the Washington Redskins having moved into the Rams' slot, RG3 is no longer on the table, which, ironically enough, has been turned in Cleveland's favor. 

According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer, the Rams have reached out to the Browns about moving up from the 'Skins' No. 6 slot, presumably to give themselves a better shot at landing Justin Blackmon, the star wide receiver out of Oklahoma State.

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the existence of such discussions at the NFL owners' meetings in Palm Beach, saying, "They were very fruitful discussions. They are a potential trade partner with us.''

Fisher also copped to the notion that it would be somewhat strange, if not downright ironic, for the Rams to trade back up after dropping down in the order:

"

Yeah, I would think so. I don't know if we'd consider going that high. Those conversations aren't going to take place until draft day because your guy's got to be there. It'll be interesting to see what kind of compensation they want. We're very happy with the compensation we've got right now over the next couple of years.'

"

As for Blackmon, he would be a perfect pickup for the Rams, given their long-standing need to supply Sam Bradford with a reliable target to throw to.

Assuming St. Louis doesn't swap out its young quarterback first.

Fisher mentioned that the team's front office had received calls concerning Bradford's availability in recent weeks, though he didn't delve into specifics as to whether or not Cleveland was involved:

"

His name came up -- not from us -- but clubs inquired if that makes sense to look at it that way, but no there was no consideration whatsoever to (trading him).'

"

It would certainly make sense if the Browns did, indeed, ask about Bradford. After all, their head coach, Pat Shurmur, was the offensive coordinator in the Gateway City when the Oklahoma Sooners stud came into the league as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Luckily for Rams fans, that point would appear to be moot. As Fisher concludes, the Rams have no interest in shipping off their franchise quarterback, even after a subpar (and injury-plagued) sophomore season.

If the Rams were at all interested in making a change under center, they wouldn't have traded out of the second spot and would, instead, have sent Bradford packing for picks.

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