It's only training camp, but Rams fans should celebrate the latest failed trade

The Los Angeles Rams failed to negotiate a trade with the Miami Dolphins to reunite with former All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey. The Rams traded inside linebacker Ernest Jones IV to the Tennessee Titans for next to nothing. Just weeks later, the Titans traded Jones to the Seattle Seahawks for a veteran linebacker and a valuable draft pick.

Why mention that? Well, because after two seasons with the Dolphins, who were acquired for a Round 3 pick and TE Hunter Long, the Dolphins are flipping Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. As if Rams fans need one more reminder as to why they dread any hint of the team trading away a significant contributor. One more team has flipped a former Rams player for a better return on their original investment:

But fans are taking the news hard. Not only for failing to trade for Ramsey, but in the fact that the team has done little to upgrade the secondary this offseason:

But let's review past 'failed' trade efforts that ended up far better than expected:

Failed trade 4 - Carolina Panthers DE Brian Burns

As the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline neared, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Rams offered two first-round draft picks and a second-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for standout pass-rusher Brian Burns. But the Panthers declined the offer.

Why it all worked out

The Rams drafted Tennessee rookie OLB Byron Young in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since that time, he has generated 123 tackles, 15.5 quarterback sacks, and 20 tackles for a loss in two seasons. Over the same period, DE Brian Burns has recorded 121 tackles, 16.5 quarterback sacks, and 33 tackles for a loss. But if you factor in Young's $5.6 million salary cap hit over four seasons, and compare it to Brian Burns $141 million salary cap hit over four seasons, there is no contest.

Failed trade 3 - Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey

At the same time as the above trade failed, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Rams also offered second, third, and fifth-round picks along with running back Cam Akers to the Panthers for veteran running back Christian McCaffrey. This time, the Panthers instead traded the star running back to the San Francisco 49ers.

Why it all worked out

The Rams promoted backup running back Kyren Williams, who has subsequently gained 2,582 rushing yards and scored 26 rushing touchdowns for the Rams. Meanwhile, veteran RB Christian McCaffrey has rushed for 2,407 yards and scored 20 rushing touchdowns for the San Francisco 49ers. Better still, Kyren Williams cost the Rams $8.1 million for four years. Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey has cost the 49ers over $66.1 million.

Money matters

Failed trade 2 - Trading up in the 2024 NFL Draft for TE Brock Bowers

The LA Rams were confirmed to try trading up in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft in the hopes of selecting Georgia rookie tight end prospect Brock Bowers. The team failed to do so and ended up making a selection at the 19th overall pick, their originally slotted pick.

Why it all worked out

The Rams landed one of the projected Top-10 rookie prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft in outside linebacker Jared Verse. Not only was the defense in dire need of a player with Verse's skill set, but Verse would play so well that he won 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. And with Verse on board, the team was prompted to trade up in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft to select his teammate, DT Braden Fiske. Fiske was himself a runner-up for 2024 NFL DROY honors.

Failed trade 1 - Trading up in the 2025 NFL Draft in Round 1

The Rams were rumored to have attempted to trade up in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Some reports suggest that the target was rookie WR Tet MacMillan. While that may have some truth to the matter, it's impossible to ignore the fact that the Rams had tried to trade up for a tight end in the previous two drafts, and two elite tight ends in Michigan TE Colston Loveland and Penn State TE Tyler Warren were still on the board.

Why it all worked out

While the Rams do not yet know all the factors that are in play from failing to trade up in the 2025 NFL Draft, we do know these facts:

1. The Rams were able to trade back, packaging picks in Round 1 (26th overall) and Round 3 to land picks in Round 2, 7, and a Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2. The Rams did select Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson with the 46th overall pick.
3. The Rams selected Pittsburgh rookie WR Konata Mumpfield in Round 7.

Ultimately, the Rams landed a coveted tight end and have two Round 1 picks to spend in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Rams failed to trade for Jalen Ramsey

As the team restocked the roster for the 2025 NFL season, the team made no progress in adding cornerbacks to the team. The team did re-sign veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon, but did not introduce any new players to the team, either through free agency or the draft. Now, with two failed opportunities to add either veteran cornerbacks Jaire Alexander or Jalen Ramsey, there is little hope for a significant upgrade before the start of the 2025 NFL season.

The Rams are cutting coupons to field this defense. How long can they continue to do so?

Why it could all work out

It's difficult to erase the struggles of the Rams' secondary as the season opened in 2024. The team was forced to bench CB Derion Kendrick for the season, bench CB Darious Williams for the opening games, and start since-traded veteran CB Tre White, who was not ready to start.

But since those opening games, the team has welcomed back both Derion Kendrick and Darious Williams to health, signed CB Ahkello Witherspoon, and claimed CB Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from the Washington Commanders. Will that make a difference?

In the NFL Playoffs, the Rams' pass defense recorded 16 quarterback sacks and allowed a net passing yard average of just 114 passing yards per game.

• LCB - Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Cam Lampkin
• SS* - Kamren Curl, Jaylen McCollough, Malik Dixon-Williams
• FS* - Kamren Kinchens, Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel
• NB/Slot - Quentin Lake, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods, Shaun Jolly
• RCB - Ahkello Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes, Derion Kendrick, AJ Green

And that was before either Ahkello Witherspoon or Emmanuel Forbes would have the benefit of participating in their first Rams training camp.

No, the Rams did not add veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey. But the Rams may be better off without him. Ramsey, like so many veterans whom the Rams failed to acquire in the past, is earning millions more than any Rams cornerback.

The Steelers have Jalen Ramsey on their roster now. But the Rams may have something better. They have the knowledge that win or lose any trade negotiations, the team will emerge better than ever. As always, thanks so much for reading.

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