Los Angeles Rams make good on all-in promise with blockbuster trade for elite cornerback, and they won the trade
The Los Angeles Rams have made the blockbuster trade for Trent McDuffie.
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said shortly after their NFC Championship loss that he would be willing to do “whatever it takes” to get back to the Super Bowl.
He made good on that promise already, going back to his roots by enacting a blockbuster trade. The Rams have traded for cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs, and it’s for a monster deal. The Rams have given up a first-round pick (29th overall), their only fifth-round pick (168th), one of their two sixth-round picks, and a third-round selection in 2027 for the cornerback.
Trent McDuffie trade is a win for the Rams
The Rams have desperately needed a top-flight cornerback ever since they traded Jalen Ramsey away a few short seasons ago. They’ve tried the patchwork approach with a mix of youth and veterans, but that approach has cost them in back to back seasons, including contributing to their heartbreaking loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.
McDuffie gives them that special playmaker. He’s an elite cornerback, capable of playing both inside and outside for the Rams and allowing them the ability to effectively corral top-flight wide receivers, something the team has struggled with repeatedly over the years.
Additionally, this draft class is fairly thin across the board. McDuffie is, and likely will be, a better player than virtually most of the prospects available at 29th overall. The sheer volume of picks might be a little intimidating, but the Rams have more Day 3 picks than they need in this class. The 2027 3rd is of more concern to me, but admittedly, the Rams always seem to find a way around it.
How does Trent McDuffie fit the Rams?
There have been some questions with his fit alongside Quentin Lake, who primarily plays in the slot for the Rams. McDuffie kicking inside would allow Lake to move up into a strong safety role (replacing Kam Curl) in those situations or move inside to dimebacker.
He also allows them some coverage flexibility. McDuffie is the only option on the roster who can effectively play man coverage on the top wide receivers in the game, which the Rams need to be better at to finally take that next step as a defense. McDuffie can kick inside in clear man coverage situations or play outside and shadow opponents’ top wide receivers or play man on the X and allow the Rams to double the #1 effectively.
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