Les Snead and the Los Angeles Rams aren’t going to sit idly by this offseason after enduring the 5-12 campaign they just went through. Even though Snead said the team has to pay some of its debts this year, the Rams should remain aggressive in pursuit of a bounce-back season in 2023.
Trades are always one avenue the Rams explore each year, particularly when it comes to bringing in proven players. But if Los Angeles is in reset mode, Snead could move a player like Jalen Ramsey to acquire additional picks.
Pro Football Focus’ Marcus Mosher drummed up five trade ideas that would shake up the NFL this offseason and two involved the Rams. One is a deal bringing Jonathan Taylor to Los Angeles, and the other sends Jalen Ramsey back to Jacksonville.
Trading for Taylor isn’t as crazy as it sounds, considering he’s in the final year of his contract and the Colts are in full-on rebuild mode.
So what about a Taylor trade? Taylor is entering the final year of his contract, so the Indianapolis Colts might want to avoid making him the league’s highest-paid running back, as they are set to begin a rebuild. Could the Rams flip the No. 37 pick in this year’s draft, along with some other filler picks, to get the best pure running back in the league?
As for Ramsey, he’d likely be the Rams’ most valuable trade asset, given his contract and age. He has just $5 million in guaranteed money left on his deal, which makes him a tradeable piece. He’s also still one of the best cornerbacks in football, something every team would love to have on its defense.
Ramsey would join a defense with one elite cornerback in Tyson Campbell (80.8 grade in 2022) and a young pass-rush unit. Ramsey is still a fantastic player, as he had the second-best grade of his career (86.4) during the 2022 season. If he were to join this defense, Jacksonville would have one of the most talented rosters in the league going into the 2023 season.
Many fans are hoping the Rams don’t trade Ramsey because of how thin the team is at cornerback. If Los Angeles were to deal him, it would leave Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick and Robert Rochell as the top corners on the roster.
The Rams don’t necessarily need Taylor on offense, either. Sure, he’s a talented player and a better runner than Cam Akers, but after the team drafted Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr. and Kyren Williams in recent years, spending their top pick to acquire another running back would be unwise.
