3 Draft Picks the Rams Gave up on Way Too Early

The Los Angeles Rams aren't exactly known for their drafting nowadays. After making the playoffs in twice these past three seasons, the Rams essentially plummeted their draft capital to contend for a Super Bowl. But when they do participate extensively in the NFL Draft, they tend to hit on some solid players.

Yet, they have had cases of moving on from a draft pick a bit too early for anyone's taste. We no doubt believe that the Rams kick themselves every now and then for showing these three players their walking papers way too early.

3. Todd Gurley, RB

Todd Gurley still has gas left in the tank. / Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Todd Gurley is a recent case of a team surrendering a top-tier talent prematurely. The Rams selected Gurley with the tenth-overall pick in 2015 out of the running back factory that is Georgia. He had just one down year with the Rams (2016), but he posted over 1,000 rushing yards in three of his five seasons. But the biggest mistake Los Angeles made was giving Gurley a $60 million contract extension prior to the start of the 2018 season. Gurley exploded for 1,831 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns that year, but was slowed down by a knee injury, which carried over into 2019. Even so, he still posted 12 touchdowns on the ground that year. This offseason, the Rams decided to part ways with Gurley, who quickly signed on with the Atlanta Falcons. Don't get this mixed up -- the Rams didn't cut Todd Gurley, they cut Todd Gurley's contract.

2. Richie Incognito, G

Yes, Richie Incognito used to be a member of the Rams. / Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Pushing off-field issues aside, Richie Incognito is one of the better offensive guards in the NFL currently. Before he joined Jon Gruden and the Raiders, Incognito was a 2005 third-round pick by the Rams. His time in St. Louis wasn't grand, because he dealt with numerous injuries, including a pre-draft knee injury which knocked him out for his entire rookie campaign. Eventually, the Rams said enough was enough, and waived him in 2009. After leaving the Rams, Incognito was named to Pro Bowl four times (2012, 2015-17) during his time with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills. We can't necessarily blame the Rams for the decision, but it looks terrible in hindsight.

1. Jerome Bettis, RB

The Rams traded Jerome Bettis after three seasons. / Joseph Patronite/Getty Images

That's right, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis was originally a Ram. After trading Eric Dickerson back in 1987, the Rams were looking to add a high-impact rusher in the backfield. So, they opted to select Bettis out of Notre Dame with the tenth-overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. He was a stud during his first three seasons with the Rams, as he rushed for 3,091 yards and 13 touchdowns on 796 carries. Those numbers netted him two Pro Bowl nominations in his first two campaigns. Prior to the 1996 draft, the Rams opted to trade Bettis to the Steel City for a second-round pick in 1996 and a fourth-rounder in 1997. Bettis continued to be a dominant force in the backfield with the Steelers, as he accumulated 10,571 yards and 50 touchdowns on 2,683 carries in his ten years. Since moving to Pittsburgh, Bettis earned four more Pro Bowl nods, a 1996 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, a First Team All-Pro nomination, and a coveted Super Bowl victory in his final season. While it does sting for the Rams to trade a future Hall of Famer, we can't necessarily blame them, because they used the aforementioned fourth rounder to trade up and select Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace.