7 hypothetical NFL trades the LA Rams should make before Week 1
By Bret Stuter
Scenario I – Trade WR Josh Reynolds to the Green Bay Packers for a third-round and seventh-round pick
The LA Rams know they cannot possibly keep all of their veterans whose contracts expire at the end of this year. The Rams have both WR Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds competing for playing time, both with contracts that expire at the end of this year. When that happens, the Rams will either sign one or the other, or neither.
The Rams have a true logjam at the wide receiver position in training camp. Part of the reason is the fact that the team has two wide receivers with expiring contracts at the end of this season. Those young players who are projected to step up next season need quality snaps this season. Unless the Rams clear the logjam, that won’t happen.
Pack up for the Packers
The Rams need to decide which wide receiver they can realistically sign at the end of the season between Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds. The team should then give the receiver-starved Packers a call. If the Rams feel that they can swing Kupp, they should deal Reynolds for a conditional third-round pick. If the Rams do not believe that Kupp is possible, then the price goes way up to multiple picks which include a 2021 first-round pick.
Why would the Packers do this? Adding a competent starting wide receiver to that team launches them immediately into a Super Bowl contender. Reynolds would finally earn that WR2 spot he has worked so hard for. Why would the Rams do this? The Rams would get immediate salary cap relief to help re-sign players, and an immediate valuable draft pick for 2021, and the roster opening to work in some of their younger receivers.