Draft Rumors: Rams 'Connected to' WR Zay Flowers, Eyeing Trade-Up?

The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly interested in Boston College receiver Zay Flowers ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft - but will they be willing to trade up for his services?

The 2023 NFL Draft starts in just two days, and the Los Angeles Rams are staring at a potentially critical turning point - even with the lack of a first-round pick to boot.

Looking to rebound after a disappointing, injury-riddled 5-12 season, the Rams have parted ways with several veteran contributors, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Bobby Wagner, among others.

As such, Los Angeles is eager to infuse young talent - and according to SI's Albert Breer, Boston College receiver Zay Flowers is highly thought of by the Rams.

"One name I have heard connected to the Rams is Flowers," Breer writes. "But at this point, it seems as if it’d take a move into the bottom of the first round to make that happen."

This past season, the 5-9, 182-pound Flowers broke the single-season Boston College record in touchdown receptions (12), tied the mark in receptions (78) and finished third in receiving yards (1,077).

Flowers, 22, was named the best player in the New England region and a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award given annually to the top wideout in college football.

The dilemma, as Breer mentioned, as that Flowers' resume will likely make him a first-round pick, with many teams in the final ten selections have been linked to the speedy wideout.

Thus, the Rams, who hold pick No. 36, are seemingly out of the running to land Flowers, barring a trade-up. Further, per Breer, Los Angeles is aiming to load up on young players - which doesn't indicate it's interested in giving up the capital needed to move up for Flowers.

"The Rams, for the first time under Sean McVay, are going through a hard reset," Breer writes. "So, the idea here will be stocking the roster with good young players in general, and having picks 36, 69, and 77 should give them a decent haul of top 100 players (or at least better than usual) to make that happen."

Even before trading receiver Allen Robinson to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Rams were considered to be in the market for pass catchers opposite Cooper Kupp - and that's seemingly only been strengthened.

Could Los Angeles be so intent on adding a weapon to pair with Kupp that it makes a move for Flowers? While it appears unlikely, the final answer won't be in until Thursday night ... but there's certainly interest in Flowers on the Rams' behalf.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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