Tyler Davis has become potential Rams trade fodder by no fault of his own

The Los Angeles Rams have a juggernaut of an on-paper roster. They're the clear Super Bowl favorites for a reason. That doesn't mean they don't have holes to address, whether they choose to do so before the season or at the trade deadline in November. 

The receiver room still lacks a No. 3 option. The offensive line has been plunged into chaos following Alaric Jackson Jr.'s arrest on felony domestic violence allegations. If the Rams pull the trigger on a move via trade, third-year defensive lineman Tyler Davis is a strong candidate to be involved, through no fault of his own. 

The 2024 sixth-round pick came into his own last season as a high-quality backup on the defensive line. Unfortunately, the Rams are about as well-stocked there as any fan could ask. That group includes Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Braden Fiske as starters on the interior, plus Myles Garrett rushing from the outside. 

If, for example, Los Angeles decides to purchase an insurance policy at offensive tackle, Davis could be appealing bait for potential trade partners.

Rams could dangle Davis in exchange for veteran OT or WR

Davis was one of the most underrated d-line reserves in the league last season. Pro Football Focus awarded him an overall grade of 68.3, good for 35th among 134 qualified interior defenders. Particularly effective against the run, Davis earned a run-defense grade near the 86th percentile. 

The Rams may not need him to carry as much of the load in 2026. Rookie nose tackle Tim Keenan III, a seventh-rounder out of Alabama, could step in for run-specific scenarios. Second-year defensive tackle Ty Hamilton, a former fifth-rounder, could contribute as well. Neither has Davis' floor or his upside, but d-line depth just isn't a pressing need on the roster.

Offensive tackle depth is. The Rams should be perfectly comfortable keeping Warren McClendon in a starting role after he filled in so admirably for an injured Rob Havenstein last season. Rookie Keagen Trost could step in as a starter in a pinch, but does the team really want to lean on him every week? 

It will take training camp and the preseason to figure out whether he is prepared to jump into the fire so soon. In the meantime, adding a veteran insurance policy would make a lot of sense. If the Rams don't fancy the remaining free-agent options, they'll have to scrounge together a trade package.

On the other hand, maybe they find out Trost can handle his business. Maybe they don't make a move until the deadline, due to injuries or manifesting roster flaws (like the lack of a reliable third wideout). 

General manager Les Snead has depleted his quiver of draft assets. Including a young player like Davis would compensate for what the Rams can't offer in picks, as well as help conserve those they have left.

It's hardly his fault, but ironically, Davis has played himself into becoming a valuable trade chip if the Rams move to shore up other, more vulnerable position groups. 

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