Proposed B/R blockbuster trade could answer the prayers of many Rams fans

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams, fans continue to remain on the edge of their seats over the secondary. Will it show up? Sometimes the answer is yes, and at other times the answer is a definite no. And it's that inconsistency that has worn the patience of fans down to its final thread.

It's an area LA continues to tinker with, but seldom gets right.

Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine has a proposed solution. He suggests LA offer up a Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange for Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie. While that may seem to be a steep price for a one-year rental, some of that value is the very duration of the contract. If the team dislikes McDuffie, they have the option to allow him to find a better fit in the NFL Free Agency market.

McDuffie is a 25-year-old defensive back who has already earned All-Pro honors, and he is just getting started. He is returning from a knee injury that ended his 2025 NFL season in Week 14, so there are medical concerns that must be resolved to make this trade work for both sides.

Does it make sense for both teams to make this trade?

As is the case with every NFL trade, both teams must believe that they are getting adequate or significant value to make the trade. And therein lies the rub. Do the Chiefs value a draft pick over a proven performer? Do the LA Rams believe the risk for one-year of an injured veteran is worth a first-round draft pick?

Why the Chiefs do make this trade

Much like the Los Angeles Rams' 2022 season that ended with a record of 6-11, the Kansas City Chiefs have plummeted to a record of 6-11 this season. Digging out of that hole takes an infusion of young talent that is easy on the salary cap, and a Round 1 pick can jumpstart that strategy. Despite losing 30 free agents, Kansas City is buried under a mountain of cap space deficit in 2026.

It makes sense for the team to view a soft reboot of the team as a viable strategy, and converting today's players into prospects is the most obvious way to get there.

Why the Chiefs don't make this trade

If the goal is to rebuild, then the Chiefs may view McDuffie as a blue-chip player to build around, not exchange for the hope of finding an outstanding cornerback at a more affordable price. And the Chiefs may view the potential for an instant turnaround in 2026 as not worth the risk of surrendering all hope for a complete do-over.

Why the Rams do make this trade

Let's be brutally honest. As long as veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is in the pocket, a Super Bowl victory is within reach. And his 2025 performance should encourage everyone in the Los Angeles football organization to do whatever it takes to get him another Super Bowl ring. Adding an All-Pro cornerback would certainly raise the chances.

Los Angeles faces four cornerbacks on expiring contracts: Ahkello Witherspoon, Roger McCreary, Cobie Durant, and Derion Kendrick. Will any re-sign with the team? Even if so, the team needs a better solution for covering passes. Trent McDuffie could have a similar impact as that of Jalen Ramsey. That may be worth the price.

Why the Rams don't make this trade

General manager Les Snead does not make Day 1 selections in the draft often, but outside linebacker Jared Verse was a home run. And he is the only player selected in the first round of any NFL Draft since hiring Sean McVay as the head coach in 2017.

The team landed a pair of serviceable cornerbacks on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft in the form of Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick. With the success of finding starters in the draft, it may not be worth the cost of a Day 1 pick for a one-year rental. The risk of an injured cornerback trying to reclaim All-Pro form adds to the risk.

The team did not have much success with former cornerback Tre'Davious White's attempt to reclaim his Pro Bowl form, which calls to mind the cliche 'once-bitten twice-shy' that certainly applies here. Snead may have his sights set on a rookie prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, and a Round 1 pick can go a long way to securing a top player.

Do or do not. There is no try. And thus, Les Snead must embrace the Yoda mindset for restocking the Rams roster next season. Is trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie a possibility? It's far too early to rule out anything at this point.

But it's fair to say that the way this secondary performs in the postseason will play a critical role in how the team views the priorities for 2026.

As always, thanks for reading.