Who did the Rams nearly surrender to the Panthers in 2022 failed trades?

Instead of DE/OLB Brian Burns, the Rams got:

The Rams did not pay an incredible trade package of two round 1 and one round 2 picks. But did the team do better or worse in the aftermath. Let's compare what the Rams kept:

• 2024 NFL Draft: Round 1 - Outside linebacker Jared Verse may or may not prove to be the best rookie prospect selected by this team in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he already shows all the signs of becoming a true impact player for the team this season. While we cannot say how well he will perform, we can acknowledge the fact that he plugs a huge hole in this defense. Would Brian Burns have done a similar job? We'll talk more about that later.
• 2025 NFL Draft: Round 1 - To be determined
• 2025 NFL Draft: Round 2 - Defensive tackle Braden Fiske not only needed the team's Round 2 pick in the 2024 NFL, but required the 2025 NFL Draft Round 2 pick to trade up to select him. Now, you may question the wisdom of doing so, but without the 2025 Round 2 pick, this team cannot make the trade to select him. While the jury is still out on how well the combination of OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske will fare in 2024, the truth is that the Rams are likely to be just as well off with the two rookies as if they had added Brian Burns.

Once again, while the team did not pry Brian Burns from the Panthers roster, the front office delivered Burns-like production, and without paying a king's ransom or pay a king's wages in the process. In 2023, Carolina Panthers OLB Brian Burns put up 50 tackles, 8.0 quarterback sacks, and 21 QB pressures. He also allowed 80 percent of the passes targeting his receiver to find the mark. But rookie OLB Byron Young put up 61 tackles, 8.0 quarterback sacks, and 30 QB pressures.

Better production at a fraction of the cost. Just, wow.

While you can argue the wisdom of the Carolina Panthers waiving off the LA Rams offers for both RB Christian McCaffrey and OLB Brian Burns, clearly the Rams were the better for their inability to make those trades.

The Rams front office proved to be incredibly resourceful through it all. While the team had to accept the fact that building via trade was no longer a primary option to restock the roster, the team learned that they still had the ability to find gems in the draft silt.

Sometimes, the inability to get what you want with the first try simply sharpens the wits to get to the same goal. And with the team getting similar production out of RB Kyren Williams and OLB Byron Young, the salary cap can be distributed to pay top dollar for key offensive linemen and other vital positions.

I'm happy that the Panthers said no. As a result, the team turned their misfortune around rapidly in 2023. Had the Panthers agreed, the Rams might still be stuck in the mud of shedding payroll and trying to find bargain basement veterans to compete this season.

As always, thanks for reading.