Since Sean McVay arrived in Los Angeles in 2017, the Rams have never been afraid to make bold moves. Whether acquiring established stars, moving on from former first-round picks, or stockpiling draft capital, general manager Les Snead and McVay have consistently treated the trade market as a tool to keep the franchise in championship contention. Some deals have become defining moments in the Rams’ recent success, while others have produced mixed results or failed to meet expectations. Looking back at the biggest player trades of the McVay era, it’s time to revisit each move and decide whether it ultimately belongs in the win, loss, or push column.
Rams-Dolphins Trade
Rams receive: 2017 6th round pick
Dolphins receive: William Hayes + 2017 7th round pick
The Rams selected fullback Sam Rogers with the pick they received from Miami. William Hayes only produced 3 sacks in his two seasons with Miami so the Rams parted with Hayes salary at the right time.
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Verdict: Push
Rams-Lions Trade
Rams receive: 2018 6th round pick
Lions receive: Greg Robinson
After 3 seasons, the Rams sent the 2014 second overall pick to Detroit. The move was purely to offload a draft bust.
Verdict: Push
Rams-Bills Trade
Rams receive: Sammy Watkins + 2018 6th round pick
Bills receive: EJ Gaines + 2018 2nd round pick
The Rams only kept Sammy Watkins for one year but they turned the 2018 6th round pick into Sebastian Joseph-Day who proved to be instrumental in their run defense in 2020 and 2021. EJ Gaines only played 1 year in Buffalo and intercepted just one pass.
Verdict: Win
Rams-Commanders Trade
Rams receive: Derek Carrier
Commanders receive: 2018 7th round pick
A pretty irrelevant trade at face value but the deeper dive shows that the Commanders turned the Rams pick into Greg Stroman. Stroman, a cornerback, played in 15 games his rookie year and started 3. He intercepted one pass, forced a fumble, and grabbed a fumble recovery.
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Verdict: Loss (minimal)
Rams-Giants Trade
Rams receive: 2018 4th round pick + 2018 6th round pick
Giants receive: Alec Ogletree + 2019 7th round pick
Fresh off receiving a contract extension, the Rams traded Ogletree away. It was merely a salary dump as Ogletree did not fit the new direction for the defense.
Verdict: Push
Rams-Broncos Trade
Rams receive: Aqib Talib
Broncos receive: 2018 5th round pick
Aqib Talib was added to bring stability to the Rams secondary. He was injured for half of the 2018 season but was still a significant reason that LA got to Super Bowl LIII.
Verdict: Win
Rams-Chiefs Trade
Rams receive: Marcus Peters + 2018 6th round pick
Chiefs receive: 2018 4th round pick + 2019 2nd round pick
Just like Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters did not last long in Los Angeles because of the defensive scheme shift. The Chiefs drafted Juan Thornhill in the 2019 draft and Armani Watts in the 2018 draft. Thornhill proved to have a successful stint with Kansas City and became a two time Super Bowl winner.
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Verdict: Loss
Rams-Patriots Trade
Rams receive: Brandin Cooks + 2018 4th round pick
Patriots receive: 2018 1st round pick + 2018 6th round pick
The Rams acquired Cooks and used the 4th round pick to draft Brian Allen after navigating some draft trades. Brian Allen was the starting center for the 2021 Super Bowl team. The Patriots drafted Isaiah Wynn with the first round pick they received. Even though Cooks time in LA was just two years, he did produce a 1200 yard season.
Verdict: Win
Rams-Jaguars Trade
Rams receive: Dante Fowler Jr
Jaguars receive: 2019 3rd round pick + 2020 5th round pick
The Rams added to their pass rush in 2018 with the mid-season acquisition of Dante Fowler. Other than a highlight moment in the 2018 NFC Championship, Fowler was very hot and cold as a pass rusher. The Jaguars drafted Quincy Williams (linebacker) but was gone from the team within two years. Williams earned all pro honors with the Jets in 2023.
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Verdict: Win
Rams-Browns Trade
Rams receive: Austin Corbett
Browns receive: 2021 5th round pick
Needing offensive line help in 2019, the Rams traded for Corbett even though their initial target was Joel Bitonio. Corbett anchored a guard spot for the 2021 Super Bowl team before departing in 2022 for the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Verdict: Win
Rams-Jaguars Trade
Rams receive: Jalen Ramsey
Jaguars receive: 2020 1st round pick + 2021 1st round pick + 2021 4th round pick
The Rams dumped Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters to add superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey who wanted out of Jacksonville. The Jaguars subsequently drafted K’Lavon Chaisson (2020), Travis Etienne (2021), and Jordan Smith (2021). Jalen Ramsey earned all pro honors with the Rams in 2020 and 2021 along with a Lombardi Trophy.
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Verdict: Win
Rams-Ravens Trade
Rams receive: Kenny Young + 2020 5th round pick
Ravens receive: Marcus Peters
Unfortunately, the Rams sold too early on Marcus Peters who became an all pro in 2019 with the Ravens.
Verdict: Loss
Rams-Dolphins Trade
Rams receive: 2022 7th round pick
Dolphins receive: Aqib Talib + 2020 5th round pick
The move was to sell Talib’s remaining salary to the Dolphins.
Verdict: Push
Rams-Lions Trade
Rams receive: Matthew Stafford
Lions receive: Jared Goff + 2021 3rd round pick + 2022 1st round pick + 2023 1st round pick
As of right now, the Rams have won this trade because of Matthew Stafford delivering a Super Bowl in 2021 and winning MVP honors in 2025. The Lions could turn this back into a push if Jared Goff, Jameson Williams (2022), and Gibbs (2023) deliver a Lombardi to Detroit soon.
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Verdict: Win
Rams-Texans Trade
Rams receive: 2020 2nd round pick
Texans receive: Brandin Cooks
After Brandin Cooks suffered a concussion in 2019, the Rams felt ready to part with his hefty contract. They found a suitor in the Texans. The Rams then used their 2020 2nd round pick on Van Jefferson.
Cooks actually put together back to back 1000+ yard / 6 TD seasons. An argument could be made that the Rams could have gotten more out of Cooks trading him away as he was only entering his age 27 season.
Verdict: Loss
Rams-Patriots Trade
Rams receive: Sony Michel
Patriots receive: 2022 4th round pick
Cam Akers went down with an achilles tear before the 2021 season; leaving the Rams thin at the running back position. They traded for former first round pick Sony Michel who produced 845 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in the 2021 Super Bowl run. The Patriots selected Bailey Zappe.
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Verdict: Win
Rams-Broncos Trade
Rams receive: Von Miller
Broncos receive: 2022 2nd round pick + 2022 3rd round pick
To give Aaron Donald a running mate in 2021, the Rams went after Von Miller who was on a losing team in Denver. The addition of Von Miller was crucial on the field and off – as Miller was instrumental to extracting Donald’s leadership down the stretch.
Denver did select Nik Bonitto (2022) and Drew Sanders (2023) via a secondary trade with Indianapolis. Bonitto has become one of the best pass rushers in the NFL since 2023.
Regardless, the Rams got exactly what they needed with Miller’s services.
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Verdict: Win
Rams-Steelers Trade
Rams receive: 2023 7th round pick
Steelers receive: Allen Robinson + 2023 7th round pick
This trade was merely for the Rams to not have to pay $5 million worth of Allen Robinson’s salary.
Verdict: Push
Rams-Steelers Trade
Rams receive: Kevin Dotson + 2024 5th round pick + 2025 6th round pick
Steelers receive: 2024 4th round pick + 2025 5th round pick
Kevin Dotson has become a top 5 guard in the NFL. This has become a steal for the Rams.
Verdict: Win
Rams-Dolphins Trade
Rams receive: Hunter Long + 2023 3rd round pick
Dolphins receive: Jalen Ramsey
A lot of Rams fans were disappointed to depart with Ramsey for only a third round pick. In large part because of Ramsey’s salary at the time and desire for a new deal. Ramsey picked off 5 passes in two seasons for the Dolphins before being shipped to Pittsburgh.
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The Rams did turn that 3rd round pick into Byron Young who 27.5 sacks in 3 seasons.
Verdict: Win
Rams-Titans Trade
Rams receive: 2026 5th round pick
Titans receive: Ernest Jones + 2026 6th round pick
The Rams decision to trade Ernest Jones was because of contractual disputes so they sent him off to Tennessee. However, the Titans turned around and sent him to Seattle for a 4th round pick. The Rams got less than they should have for a starting linebacker.
Verdict: Loss
Rams-Falcons Trade
Rams receive: 2025 6th round pick
Falcons receive: Van Jefferson + 2025 7th round pick
In a roundabout trade, the Rams selected Konata Mumpfield. Still too early to tell what the trade yielded for both teams.
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Verdict: Push
Rams-Chiefs Trade
Rams receive: Trent McDuffie
Chiefs receive: 2026 1st round pick + 2026 5th round pick + 2026 6th round pick + 2027 3rd round pick
The Rams certainly acquired a top tier cornerback, but until we see what Mansoor Delane and company do after a few years, a better verdict will be able to be ascertained.
Verdict: TBD
Rams-Browns Trade
Rams receive: Myles Garrett
Browns receive: Jared Verse + 2027 1st round pick + 2028 2nd round pick + 2029 3rd round pick
The Rams know they were getting rid of a great talent in Jared Verse but they believe Myles Garrett is a special talent. Even though, its not in the trade details, acquiring Myles Garrett has led to the likely return of Aaron Donald.
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Verdict: TBD (although likely a Win)
There you have it, the Rams have made 24 player trades in the Sean McVay era. I count 11 winning trades, 6 “pushes”, 5 losing trades, and 2 trades still to be decided. 17 of 22 trades have gone favorably for the Rams.
