The trade deadline in the NFL doesn’t carry the same weight and excitement that it does in MLB and the NBA, but in the last few years, front offices across the NFL have become more aggressive when it comes to making deals. Les Snead and the Los Angeles Rams certainly are no exception, making a big trade before the deadline in each of the last two years: Dante Fowler Jr. last year, Jalen Ramsey this year.
The Rams are probably done making deals after striking three just two weeks ago, but as Sean McVay said Sunday, “I would never say never.”
We’ve laid out everything to know about the trade deadline, including when it is, who the Rams might trade away, who they might target and what their salary cap situation looks like.
When is the trade deadline?
Teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to make trades. Deals don’t have to be announced by then, but the league office has to receive notification of them by 4 p.m. ET. Oftentimes, last-minute trades aren’t announced until after the deadline passes.
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Who could the Rams trade away?
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Rams are open to trading veteran players in order to free up space to sign “a player like Jalen Ramsey.” That sentence can be read one of two ways, but in all likelihood, it means the Rams want to free up space to extend Ramsey or another player already on the roster.
As for who could be dealt to make that happen, there are a few possibilities.
Aqib Talib
Talib was specifically mentioned by Schefter, and he even reported that the Rams tried to trade Talib recently but the CB turned down the chance to be dealt. Currently on IR, the Rams might have trouble finding a taker for Talib, given the fact that he’ll only be able to play the last few games of the season before becoming a free agent.
Michael Brockers
Brockers is another possibility, given his hefty contract which expires after this season. The Rams could trade him and free up about $5 million in cap space this year, which is a significant amount.
Brandin Cooks
This is a long shot, especially after Cooks suffered his second concussion of the season last week, but perhaps the Rams will want to move him to recoup some of the draft picks they’ve recently dealt away. Trading Cooks would also free up a lot of money down the line, including $12 million in 2020 alone.
Josh Reynolds
Again, another unlikely trade candidate due to Cooks’ concussion, but Reynolds has had very few opportunities this year. He’d be a quality No. 3 receiver on a lot of teams, but the Rams don’t have the snaps to give him if everyone is healthy.
Malcolm Brown
Brown currently has a shoulder injury, and as much as the Rams like him, Darrell Henderson has proved capable of being a good backup to Todd Gurley. That could open the door for the Rams to trade Brown and lean on Henderson and John Kelly as backups.
Bryce Hager
Hager was a healthy scratch two weeks ago but inactive Sunday due to a shoulder injury, so his status isn’t exactly clear. Troy Reeder has supplanted him, and the Rams have barely used their base 3-4 defense anyway.
Tyler Higbee
The Rams just signed Higbee to an extension this offseason, which makes a trade unlikely. However, Gerald Everett has become the top option at tight end and Johnny Mundt is a good enough blocker to be the No. 2 tight end.
Time :: Trade Chips :: Trade Targets :: Salary Cap Space
Who could the Rams target?
The Rams don’t necessarily need much help on either side of the ball. Cornerback could use some added depth with Talib out, and the offensive line would greatly benefit from a proven veteran coming aboard. But after landing Ramsey and Austin Corbett, it’s hard to imagine the Rams making a big splash.
Trent Williams
The Redskins already have a second-round pick on the table, which means they’re likely holding out for a first. In other words, the Rams are out on Williams, in all likelihood.
Vic Beasley
Beasley isn’t the player he was when he led the NFL in sacks a few years ago. The Rams might be able to get something out of him for just a sixth- or seventh-round pick, though, if the Falcons take on some of his salary.
Haason Reddick
Reddick is a versatile linebacker who can rush the passer or drop into coverage. That’s always a valuable asset, but Arizona’s new regime probably doesn’t want to trade him like the front office was last year.
Shaq Barrett
He burst onto the scene for the Bucs this year but has slowed down since due to injury. Tampa Bay might want to flip him for a pick after only paying him $4 million this offseason.
Other names to watch
- Carlos Dunlap
- Bud Dupree
- Derek Wolfe
- Preston Brown
- Chris Harris Jr.
- Janoris Jenkins
Time :: Trade Chips :: Trade Targets :: Salary Cap Space
How much cap space do the Rams have?
Los Angeles is right up against the cap right now. The team has about $5.6 million to play with in 2019, which is near the bottom of the NFL. Things don’t look much better in 2020, either, with the Rams projected to have $24.6 million in cap space.
That $24.6 million doesn’t include players such as Cory Littleton, Brockers, Fowler, Talib, Andrew Whitworth or Troy Hill, all of whom will be free agents.
In 2021, things could change with a new CBA, but the Rams aren’t in a great position with the salary cap right now. They need to move some money around in order to extend players such as Littleton, Ramsey and possibly Fowler.
Time :: Trade Chips :: Trade Targets :: Salary Cap Space
