What if the LA Rams were to trade WR Robert Woods

Free agency options

Before we start signing away part of that salary cap savings to attract another wide receiver, let’s pause here. The LA Rams invested a valued 2020 NFL Draft pick in the hopes that rookie WR Van Jefferson would step up in his second year in the league.  He flashed some lofty upside in 2020 and can build on that this year from flashes he showed in the Seahawks or Packers games last year when he emerged as the go-to target.

Also, the LA Rams redshirted a Josh Reynolds clone in wide receiver Trishton Jackson.   Though undrafted he could emerge in training camp and pre-season. Give the young WR bucks a chance to shine. For that matter, J.J. Koski is looking for any opportunity to compete for part of the offensive rotation. Robert Woods quality? No way. But none of these players are at that Robert Woods price, either.

Okay, back to the 2021 NFL Free Agency market. With the $12 million you just saved in the Woods deal, now you can afford to re-sign free agent Josh Reynolds who was fixing to go elsewhere until you made this deal happen. For how much? It only makes sense if the Rams can keep the hit under $5 million per year.

Or, the Rams can sign a free agent deep-threat wide receiver who can stretch the field, such as Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver John Ross. We mentioned him in an article a month ago, and he still makes sense. His price should be cheap enough to meet the Rams’ needs. Of course, if the Rams find more money to spend, they could go for one of the more popular free agents who are hitting the market this year.

The Rams offense can accommodate a wide range of affordable receiver options. WR Golden Tate is NOT an option, given his (ahem) checkered history with the Rams’  Jalen Ramsey.  You see, even the foundation of Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, and a re-signed Josh Reynold would make for a great receiving core to build upon and would play for many pesos less.

No, the LA Rams likely will not trade Robert Woods even in the face of a first-round draft pick on the table. But over time, we’ve learned never to say never. The NFL is absolutely bonkers right now. So in the theme of Anything Goes! NFL, we wanted to do our part to prepare you for what that might look like.