Robinson Says Rams Won’t Trade Away Draft Choices

The Rams have decided against bidding for a high-ranking veteran or rookie this year with a package of draft choices, Coach John Robinson said Tuesday at the National Football League’s spring meetings.

“We have five choices in the first and second rounds (next month)--and five more next year--and we’re going for 10 players,” Robinson said. “You can always change your mind, but right now we think we’ll be better off with 10 guys than with three or four who might have a better (reputation).”

He said that next month the Rams will kick off with two choices in the first round and three more in the second. And as a result of the Eric Dickerson deal and other trades, their 1989 draft will also start with two firsts and three seconds.

“I doubt if any other NFL club ever had that many good choices in successive years,” said Bruce Allen, a Phoenix player agent.

Robinson, who has joined Ram scouts in beating the bushes for talent this year, expects to largely rebuild the club with the 10 players he gets in these two drafts.

“We’re planning to go strictly by the book--taking the best player available every time up,” he said.