7 hypothetical NFL trades the LA Rams should make before Week 1

Scenario VI  –  Trade DT Greg Gaines to the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round pick

The Seattle Seahawks are ghastly thin at the defensive line position. While that is good news for the LA Rams future as a division rival, this situation also opens the door for commerce.  Right now, the Seahawks are looking at just three healthy defensive tackles.  They have lost both starters Poona Ford and Jarran Reed to lower leg injuries, and the real work is still to come.

SideLion Report

The Rams are running a 3-4 defense, and have already trimmed the defensive line by parting ways with Tanzel Smart, Greg Reaves, and Sam Renner. Who’s left? Well, the Rams have starters Michael Brokers, Aaron Donald, and Sebastian Joseph Day as the starting trio. Newly signed free agent A’Shawn Robinson will join them when he clears his current medical condition. The Rams also have veterans Morgan Fox, Marquise Copeland, Greg Gaines joined by rookies Michael Hoecht and Eric Banks.

Robinson’s prognosis

As soon as A’Shawn Robinson clears his medical flat, the Rams will likely need to trim their roster, and the first place to look will be the defensive line.  Right now, the Rams have Sebastian Joseph Day as the interim nose tackle for the starters.  Both Brockers and Donald can rotate in at the nose tackle spot, affording an opportunity to get DE Morgan Fox, Marquise Copeland, and impressive rookies Michael Hoecht and Eric Banks onto the field.  The Rams can trade Gaines and still be strong on the defensive line.

Why would the Seahawks do this? Gaines is a huge bodied defensive lineman who forces offenses to go elsewhere. He knocks back blockers, disrupting rushing lanes, and freeing up teammates to make plays.  Why would the Rams do this? Gaines is big and powerful, but he is not fast, and the Rams are looking to become more mobile and swarming on defense.