Los Angeles Rams: 5 NFL Trade Options Ahead of the Deadline

Los Angeles Rams: 5 NFL Trade Options Ahead of the Deadline​

by Blaine Grisak October 26, 2021 0 comment
The Los Angeles Rams traded away Kenny Young and a 2024 7th round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2024 6th round pick. It’s a move that doesn’t make a lot of sense for a few reasons. For starters, the Rams are already very thin at the linebacker position. Young had been arguably the team’s best linebacker this season and led the defense in tackles for loss. Secondly, the Rams traded away Young for the equivalent of nothing. A 2024 6th round pick doesn’t move the needle.
However, what makes this move interesting is that it’s paired with another move that the Rams made on Saturday. Early on Saturday, the Rams restructured Rob Havenstein’s contract to open up some cap space. By trading Young for pennies at this point in the season, it smells like a “cap move”. The only reason the Rams would be looking to open up cap space at this point in the season would be if another trade were coming.

The move could simply spell more playing time for rookie Ernest Jones. However, for a team looking to win now and already thin at linebacker, it’s a very curious move nonetheless.
A few weeks ago, Sean McVay said that he didn’t anticipate any big moves coming. Les Snead is clearly working the phone lines though and it wouldn’t be a total surprise if another move did happen. Let’s take a look at some potential names.

CB Amani Oruwariye – Detroit Lions​

Two of the recent in-season trades that the Los Angeles Rams have made have had one thing in common – interest pre-draft. When the Rams traded away Marcus Peters, they made sure to get Kenny Young in the deal as well. Young was a player that the Rams liked and met with pre-draft. The same can be said about Austin Corbett in the trade with the Browns in 2019.
Names like Xavien Howard will come up as players to watch for the Rams come the trade deadline. However, Howard will be tough to fit under the cap and the Rams don’t need a top-level cornerback. This is a defense that still has Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams will return in a few weeks. In reality, the Rams really need depth at the cornerback position to replace David Long.
The Rams and Lions made a few trades this offseason that included Jared Goff and Michael Brockers. These are two team with familiarity in the front offices and good relationships. The Rams met with Amani Oruwariye prior to the 2019 NFL Draft and he was selected in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions.
This season, Oruwariye has started all seven games for the Lions and has three interceptions to go with four passes defended. Oruwariye gives the Rams length at the cornerback spot and someone who can be that number three or number four cornerback this season. With Williams set to hit free agency, Oruwariye could be someone the Rams could develop into a starting role as well. With the Lions in a rebuild, they might be looking for picks.
Trade: Rams give a conditional fourth round pick.

LB Myles Jack – Jacksonville Jaguars​

The Los Angeles Rams gave up Kenny Young without much of a backup plan at the linebacker spot. As it stands, Troy Reeder and Ernest Jones will be in line as the starting linebackers. Young was having a very good season and led the Rams in tackles for loss.
Jack would give the Rams an athletic linebacker who could cover sideline to sideline. The Jaguars linebacker was also apart of a 2018 defense with Jalen Ramsey that was one of the best in the league. Jack is only 26-years old and is under contract for two more seasons. His cap number is $10.5M and $11.25M in those two seasons.
The Rams opted not to pay Cory Littleton two years ago and they don’t like to spend on the linebacker position. Jack might cost too much both financially and in asset for Les Snead’s liking. The Rams have opened up some cap space and would need to find a way to open up more if they were to trade for Jack. These two teams have done deals in the past, specifically with Jalen Ramsey. Could another deal be a possibility?
Trade: Rams give 2022 2nd and 2023 5th round picks

S Marcus Maye – New York Jets​

The New York Jets are 1-6 and are paying their starting safety on the franchise tag. At this point in the season, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for Maye to play for the Jets or for the Jets to keep Maye. The Los Angeles Rams meanwhile could use a starting veteran safety. Jordan Fuller hasn’t played at a high level like some expected and Taylor Rapp is a liability in coverage.
Maye allowed an 80.4 passer rating last season and had two interceptions. Think Jamaal Adams who can actually cover. Again, the Rams would likely need to find a way to make it work with the cap. Another restructure somewhere on the roster would need to take place. However, Maye would give the defense a huge boost.
Trade: Rams give 2022 3rd Round pick

WR Odell Beckham Jr. – Cleveland Browns​

SomeLos Angeles Rams fans might not like this move simply because of the name. ‘Odell Beckham Jr. is a head case and will be a distraction.’ That might be, however, the same could be said about Jalen Ramsey in Jacksonville. The fact of the matter is, players like playing in Los Angeles and the Rams do a very good job of keeping their players happy.
Last week, the Arizona Cardinals traded for Zach Ertz. Ertz scored his first touchdown on Sunday with the Cardinals on an offense that already looked unstoppable. The Rams might feel some pressure to make an offensive move to keep up with Arizona.
Cooper Kupp is having a great season and Robert Woods seems to finally be getting in sync with Matthew Stafford. Van Jefferson is also playing well and DeSean Jackson has performed when his number has been called on. However, while Jefferson is playing well, there’s no doubt that Beckham would provide an immediate boost to the Rams receiving corps. He may not be the same receiver he was with the New York Giants, but the fit in Cleveland also never seemed to be right.
The Rams have had interest in Beckham Jr. in the past as they almost traded for him when he was with the New York Giants. With him out of favor in Cleveland, and the Browns looking to get Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz more involved, a move isn’t totally out of the question.
Trade: Rams give 2022 3rd round pick and conditional 2023 5th round pick

CB AJ Terrell – Atlanta Falcons​

The Atlanta Falcons sit at 2-4 right now with not a lot of direction on either side of the football. With Matt Ryan under center, they’re playing to win and not doing a very good job at it. This is a team that needs to blow it up and start their rebuild.
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead used to work with the Falcons, and could still have relationships within the organization.
Last season, despite a down year, Raheem Morris had the Falcons playing good defense, specifically in the secondary. Terrell is one of only a few cornerbacks to allow fewer than 100 yards in coverage and is the only cornerback with 50+ man coverage snaps without allowing a catch.
If Terrell wasn’t playing well right now, this trade might be more likely. It would be very similar to the Austin Corbett trade. However, the 2020 first round pick is healthy and playing up to his draft status. Morris has familiarity with Terrell which is why this move would make sense for the Rams. However, with the Falcons in a rebuild, they might be looking to keep all of the young talent they can. Contrarily, they could look to sell and accumulate draft picks.
Trade: Rams give 2022 3rd, 2022 5th, and conditional 2023 3rd round round pick

CB Darren Hall – Atlanta Falcons​

I’m throwing in a sixth just as an honorable mention. The Rams may not be able to get Terrell, but Darren Hall might be a little more manageable. The Falcons drafted Hall in the fourth round of the draft in April. However, he was a player that the Rams had interest in and met with before the draft.
Hall doesn’t have a lot of experience as he’s played just 18 snaps. However, David Long looks to be out of favor with the Rams coaching staff. Hall would give the Rams some depth and a player they can develop. It wouldn’t be a splashy move, but it would bring in a player that would give the Rams much needed depth where they need it.
Trade: Rams give 2022 5th and conditional 2023 7th

About Post Author​

Blaine Grisak​

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Blaine Grisak is the managing editor of Downtown Rams. Blaine brings a realistic perspective to all of his Rams coverage. He’s been a Rams fan for 20 years and resides in Pennsylvania. His favorite player is Kurt Warner. You can follow him on Twitter at @bgrisakDTR
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[Merlin]

If you look at it from the, “We need to beat the Cardinals to win the division and have a shot at homefield advantage in the playoffs” ( which they likely are), then what positions help them most in defeating the Cards?

I think the DLine has been playing better since that game. The edge players are certainly looking more capable of containing Murray. So the problem is covering the Card’s (and Tampa’s for that matter) various weapons. I’m starting to lean to @Merlin logic and think improved safety play may be a bigger need. Fuller and Scott aren’t a match for what those teams can run out there.

CB depth would help too.

I haven't watched all that many Jets games but if they think Maye can help them...

He's a pending FA which I like. Rams may need to move a little more value to NY if they want them to take on some of that one year contract. But the pending FA thing can be very useful in getting the most from a guy in that short window regardless of whether you intend to sign him.

Rams have money coming off the books this offseason, so here's your job interview Maye.

But that aside I'll say again that safeties are kind of weird. Getting the right fit is more important than going after the crazy athleticism or some guy who had a huge season. Whatever priorities Morris is putting on his keys for those guys, that's the skill set you go after.

Looking at Maye's scheme history he had Greg Williams for a couple seasons which doesn't really prep him for this defense. GW's history jives well with Cover 3 (it fits with the old 46 approach) but not so much with him playing over the top. And before that he had Kacy Rodgers who was a Todd Bowles disciple. So neither really were heavy Cover 4 types, which isn't a big deal if the guy has natural instincts in coverage and prowling deep. But what it would do is allow Morris to flip the script and play more Cover 3 vs teams that have more run game threat like say Tennessee.

 

[Psycho_X]

Look’ing there Corbett, Noteboom and SJD are the only ones that bring in a pippin or more in cap space. Looking at these numbers anybody like Fuller, Mayes and Jack seem to be out of reach realistically.

Before anybody says it I never bet against Les making a move. Just saying the financials have to work.

Yeah they don't have much more ammo this season it seems like unless they work out something with Stafford to free up a bunch of money by extending him. Wouldn't count that out but seems unlikely. Of the three you mentioned above obviously no to Corbett, SJD would need to be for a hell of a player because he's playing good, leaving Noteboom as the only real trade bait we have that isn't actively helping us. But that is a huge, huge, huge, fucking huge gamble lol. Especially with Whitworth possibly missing time depending on how this knee strain plays out this week.

So yeah, none of those I'd want to do unless we can nab a stud for the loss of SJD since we at least have some backup options there. But meh.

 

[OldSchool]

Yeah they don't have much more ammo this season it seems like unless they work out something with Stafford to free up a bunch of money by extending him. Wouldn't count that out but seems unlikely. Of the three you mentioned above obviously no to Corbett, SJD would need to be for a hell of a player because he's playing good, leaving Noteboom as the only real trade bait we have that isn't actively helping us. But that is a huge, huge, huge, fucking huge gamble lol. Especially with Whitworth possibly missing time depending on how this knee strain plays out this week.

So yeah, none of those I'd want to do unless we can nab a stud for the loss of SJD since we at least have some backup options there. But meh.

Thank you for the response it made me realize how bad my typing and auto correct corrections are on this iPad lol

And I agree these doesn’t seem to be a good answer to the question I asked.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I haven't watched all that many Jets games but if they think Maye can help them...

He's a pending FA which I like. Rams may need to move a little more value to NY if they want them to take on some of that one year contract. But the pending FA thing can be very useful in getting the most from a guy in that short window regardless of whether you intend to sign him.

Rams have money coming off the books this offseason, so here's your job interview Maye.

But that aside I'll say again that safeties are kind of weird. Getting the right fit is more important than going after the crazy athleticism or some guy who had a huge season. Whatever priorities Morris is putting on his keys for those guys, that's the skill set you go after.

Looking at Maye's scheme history he had Greg Williams for a couple seasons which doesn't really prep him for this defense. GW's history jives well with Cover 3 (it fits with the old 46 approach) but not so much with him playing over the top. And before that he had Kacy Rodgers who was a Todd Bowles disciple. So neither really were heavy Cover 4 types, which isn't a big deal if the guy has natural instincts in coverage and prowling deep. But what it would do is allow Morris to flip the script and play more Cover 3 vs teams that have more run game threat like say Tennessee.

Minnesota and Baltimore are on it too. Plus the Packers ran well against the Rams last year. So maybe 4 teams. Hopefully by week 18 the Ravens game doesn’t matter.

 

[OldSchool]

Minnesota and Baltimore are on it too. Plus the Packers ran well against the Rams last year. So maybe 4 teams. Hopefully by week 18 the Ravens game doesn’t matter.

Speaking of the Packers I’ve read they’re going hard for Fuller, they also need a WR.

 

[Kupped]

I think Patterson would be a smart fit, but for me personally, i wouldn't want to be sending picks for anything that doesn't beef up the defense at this point in the season.

I want to add a defensive back, for sure.
But Patterson helps the D in two ways, imo.. better field position and he can help keep drives alive on offense.

 

[Kupped]

I'll bite OldSchool. Cut A'Shawn Robinson, He's been a bust. Plays few snaps and when he is in, he's almost worthless. Promote Bobby Brown III to take his place. Can't be any worse than ARob.

Don't know if they save much, if anything by cutting ARob, but Bobby Brown is in line to replace him next year anyway. Do it now.

Robinson has gotten better and played more as the season has gone on. 16 more snaps than Gaines this week.
He's no star... but I'm not doing anything to upset the chemistry of that Dline at this point.

 

[RhodyRams]

Not to hijack the thread, but I'm just noticing how similar Over The Cap and DownTown Rams logos are

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Speaking of the Packers I’ve read they’re going hard for Fuller, they also need a WR.

Fuller is a former Bear. Rodgers already owns him. No need to trade.

 

[Merlin]

Robinson has gotten better and played more as the season has gone on. 16 more snaps than Gaines this week.
He's no star... but I'm not doing anything to upset the chemistry of that Dline at this point.

Snaps vs Detroit may have been to feed that former team thing. Guys tend to give their best in that situation.

Along those lines this weekend Cooks will look like Megatron I am sure. Too bad he may not have a QB throwing it to him.

 

[Kupped]

Snaps vs Detroit may have been to feed that former team thing. Guys tend to give their best in that situation.

Along those lines this weekend Cooks will look like Megatron I am sure. Too bad he may not have a QB throwing it to him.

I'm also trying to be open to the possibility they were featuring Robinson in hopes of moving him and then activating B Brown. But the way his contract is structured, I don't know that there's any financial benefit to doing that this year. He's got a 6.5 million dead cap for this year, but I don't know how that works if he's traded now.

 

[Mackeyser]

A’Shawn Robinson has actually been playing pretty well especially in run support and collapsing the pocket.

His contract is structured so as to make there zero possibility of the Rams move him. Moving him would eliminate all the cap savings and require more moves.

Short of landing someone like Fletcher Cox on the cheap, Robinson is a Ram all year.