Former first-round pick may be collateral damage from Rams’ Roger McCreary trade

The Los Angeles Rams had some time off in Week 8 after a brutal beatdown of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London before their bye week. But with a close race for the NFC West crown in the 2025 NFL season, there was no rest for the weary.

Just over a week before the November 4 trade deadline, the Rams struck a deal with the Tennessee Titans for cornerback Roger McCreary. LA sent a conditional 2026 fifth-rounder to Tennessee in exchange for McCreary and a conditional 2026 sixth-rounder.

It is no secret that the Rams needed help in the secondary, and McCreary is a talented young player on a rookie contract who can make an immediate impact for an LA team in a championship window. But it may very well spark the end of Emmanuel Forbes' run with the Rams.

Rams may trade Emmanuel Forbes after acquiring Roger McCreary

A 2023 first-round pick by the Washington Commanders, Forbes has been a bit up-and-down during his stint in Los Angeles. He played well in two games late last season, but completely bombed his chance as a starter to begin the 2025 campaign.

He responded with a strong three-game stretch before the bye week, but with McCreary now in town and a handful of other young cornerbacks waiting in the wings, Forbes could easily be dealt. Based on name recognition and his status as a 2023 first-rounder, he may garner the best return as well.

Forbes isn't worth much more than a sixth-round pick, and a conditional seventh-rounder is probably the best that the Rams will realistically do. But both the AFC and NFC are wide-open this year, and LA could capitalize on some desperate teams trying to grab another piece and make a run.

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The Indianapolis Colts could certainly use another cornerback, as could the Baltimore Ravens or Detroit Lions. While the Rams aren't too keen on helping out the Lions, sending Forbes to an AFC team could be the best of both worlds.

With a big frame and 4.35-second 40-yard dash speed, Forbes could easily intrigue several teams that either need the help or are interested in taking on a fairly big project. The Rams need immediate help, and they got that in McCreary, which makes Forbes expendable.

Don't be surprised if the Rams aren't done making trades with the deadline rapidly approaching, as Sean McVay and Co. know that the window is wide open for them to make another run in the NFC. They spent their way to one Super Bowl, and they could easily do it again.