Adding Myles Garrett may not be where Rams really struck gold

The Los Angeles Rams tipped the scales by pulling off one of the biggest trades in NFL history for superstar defensive end Myles Garrett. Virtually everyone has tabbed him as the club's missing piece, and understandably so, but what if another move or moves is what gets them over the hump?

Of course, that's not to say Garrett won't be a massive difference-maker. He's the reigning and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, after all. His presence alone raises the ceiling of a squad that just fell one game short of a Super Bowl appearance.

But Los Angeles has also made meaningful upgrades elsewhere, specifically in the cornerback room. The acquisitions of Trent McDuffie, a two-time All-Pro, and Jaylen Watson garnered significant buzz before they swung for the fences with Garrett. Those moves shouldn't be forgotten.

Indeed, while Garrett has grabbed people's attention, Jeff Howe of The Athletic cited an anonymous coach who believes McDuffie and Watson will be more impactful.

"The [Garrett] trade isn't as big as the McDuffie trade and the signing of Watson," Howe wrote (subscription required). "Those additions will impact their defensive unit more than Myles."

McDuffie, Watson additions could be bigger than Garrett

It's an interesting perspective, to say the least, considering that Garrett is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer firmly in the prime of his career. He can single-handedly take over a contest at any moment.

But as Howe observes, the Rams already had an upper-echelon pass-rushing unit that ranked seventh in sacks last season. The insider also noted that Jared Verse, who was packaged in the Garrett deal, is an "ascending talent with a seemingly high ceiling."

Conversely, the additions of McDuffie and Watson address a pressing need. L.A. lost four corners to free agency this offseason (Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Roger McCreary and Derion Kendrick), plus Darious Williams to retirement, and the position group was already weak. The team's new defensive back duo, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, fills a substantial void.

McDuffie was the first massive domino to fall. The Rams sent their 2026 first-, fifth-, and sixth-round picks, plus a 2027 third-rounder, to pry him from the Chiefs. He's a two-time All-Pro with an extremely well-rounded skill set and is elite in coverage.

Watson, who turns 28 in September, was brought in a few days later via a three-year, $51 million deal in free agency. With his 6-foot-2, 197-pound frame, his size and physicality show up in the run game and also allow him to match up with bigger receivers.

Perhaps most notably, though, McDuffie and Watson bring invaluable championship experience. They've played in three of the past four Super Bowls as members of the Chiefs, with two titles to their names. Together, they might do more for the Rams' secondary than Garrett will for the pass rush.

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