Grade the Trade: Reviewing 7 hottest current LA Rams rumors and trade scenarios

II - Bleacher Report: Lions pair LA Rams Cooper Kupp with Amon Ra St Brown

The folks at Bleacher Report are not to be outdone, at least not when it comes to zany NFL Trade scenarios. In a recent article from Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, he proposes that the Detroit Lions trade for LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp. But I will at least give the guy credit in that he has two teams readily identified, and he even lists out his proposed compensation package.

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded for Tennessee Titans WR A.J. Brown, they offered the Titans the 18th and 101st overall picks as compensation. As currently projected, the package received by the LA Rams would equate to the projected 17th overall pick and 80th overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, plus a projected 85th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In terms of relative value, Kupp is a more productive NFL wide receiver than Brown, so the compensation is in the right ballpark

Why Rams would try this?

If the LA Rams are motivated to make this trade, then the compensation is reasonably fair. Were the Rams motivated to clear salary cap space until the team could afford to sign all of the new faces? Or was this simply a matter of trying to clear as much cap space as possible this year? Based on the compensation received in other trades, this trade actually gives the Rams a return that is worth pausing over.

Why wouldn't Rams try this?

You have to wonder at the impact of WR Cooper Kupp on that Detroit Lions offense, particularly in light of the fact that he is reuniting with his former quarterback Jared Goff. But what would be the impact of the Rams trading away their elite wide receiver? While this trade may seem tempting to some, I cannot imagine any behind-closed-door discussions where LA Rams HC Sean McVay consents to trade Kupp for the chance/risk to land rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Grade the Trade: B-

If the LA Rams pull the trigger on this trade scenario, the lure of chasing the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is the reason. Without Kupp, what would the Rams' offense look like? I'd guess that running the football would be readily featured, and the offense would have no other choice but to spread the ball around. How do you grade this scenario?