Trade Winds: 3 Moves to Transform Rams’ Play-off Hopes
The Los Angeles Rams have put themselves back into the playoff conversation with back-to-back wins, including one over the 5-1 Minnesota Vikings. Now they need to continue that streak through the back half of the season to stamp their ticket to the postseason.
There are a few positions that need to be addressed to ensure that they don’t get derailed along the way. The NFL’s trade deadline is right around the corner on November 5th.
3 Critical Trades The Rams Need To Make To Stay In The Playoff Hunt
Wide Receiver
With the latest news that Puka Nacua has once again injured his knee, it has become very apparent that the Rams need to bolster this position with another good option. Cooper Kupp is also a high injury risk. The offense ground to a halt when both were out of the lineup.
With the chance they could lose one or both, adding a WR before the trade deadline makes all the sense in the world.
The last best option for the Rams is Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins. The Bengals season is far from what was expected, now sitting at 3-5. Higgins sat out Week 8, signaling he is looking to be traded to a contender. So far in five games this season, he has caught 29 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. And that is on a team where he is not the top-receiving threat. He is also a quality run-blocker — a must in Sean McVay’s offense.
Tight End
The Rams knew they would go through most of the season without starting TE Tyler Higbee. In response, they added Colby Parkinson. Parkinson has never been a passing-catching threat in his career. The most targets in his career came in 2022 when he was thrown at 38 times. He has nearly eclipsed that number in just seven games with the Rams.
Despite having 35 targets, the 12th most in the league, he is 32nd in yards per route run, 1.11. Higbee isn’t expected back until sometime in December, and even when he returns he won’t return to his peak performance — that was several years ago.
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram is rumored to be available for trade. Engram wouldn’t just patch the team until Higbee returns, he would elevate the position, unlike any other tight end in the McVay era.
He has played just four games this season and has put up modest numbers, but not much is going right for that offense. He is also having a banner year in the blocking game.
Cornerback
The re-shuffled Rams secondary has played much better over the last two weeks, but with Tre’Davious White likey out the door , the depth is looking very suspect. Both Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are coming off of recent injuries and now that Quentin Lake has moved back to safety, they have played undrafted rookie Josh Wallace as the nickel corner.
Trading for Tennessee Titans CB, L’Jarius Sneed would allow the Rams to move Cobie Durant from outside corner to the slot, where he has played better.
