Sean McVay rolled into Los Angeles in 2017 with a clear message: the Rams weren’t gonna shy away from big swings in the trade market. GM Les Snead and McVay consistently used trades as a weapon, chasing championship contention whether they were bringing in established stars, ditching former first-rounders, or just playing the draft capital game. While some of these moves became defining moments for their success, others definitely missed the mark, or just landed flat. We’re talking about the biggest player trades of the McVay era, and it’s time to see where they actually landed: win, loss, or just a shrug.
Kicking Off the Era With Bold Swings and Salary Dumps
The early days saw some interesting maneuvers. Remember that 2017 deal with the Dolphins? The Rams snagged a 2017 6th round pick for William Hayes and a 7th rounder. Hayes only managed 3 sacks over two seasons in Miami, so dumping his salary felt right. That 6th round pick turned into fullback Sam Rogers, so it washes out to a **Push**.
Then there was the Greg Robinson situation. After three seasons, the Rams shipped the 2014 second overall pick to the Lions in exchange for a 2018 6th round pick. This was purely about shedding a draft bust, another **Push**.
But hey, they weren’t all just salary moves. The Rams netted Sammy Watkins and another 2018 6th round pick from the Bills, giving up EJ Gaines and a 2018 2nd round pick. Watkins only stuck around for a year, sure, but that 6th rounder became Sebastian Joseph-Day. He was absolutely instrumental in their run defense in both 2020 and 2021! EJ Gaines barely made a ripple in Buffalo with just one year and one interception. That, my friends, is a clear **Win**.
Not every minor deal works out, though. The Rams picked up Derek Carrier from the Commanders, sending them a 2018 7th round pick. That pick? It turned into Greg Stroman, a cornerback who started 3 games in his rookie year, grabbed an interception, forced a fumble, and recovered one. For a 7th rounder, that’s not bad, making it a minimal **Loss** for the Rams.
Championship Chasing and the Unexpected Blows
The McVay era really went for it when they saw a chance. Trading Alec Ogletree and a 2019 7th rounder to the Giants for a 2018 4th and 6th round pick was a straight-up salary dump after Ogletree got an extension but didn’t fit the new defensive scheme. Another **Push** on the books.
But then came Aqib Talib. Bringing him in from the Broncos for a 2018 5th round pick was about stability, and even though he was injured for half of 2018, he was a massive reason LA stormed their way to Super Bowl LIII. You call that a **Win** all day long.
Now, for the gut punch. The Rams brought in Marcus Peters and a 2018 6th rounder from the Chiefs, sending back a 2018 4th and a 2019 2nd round pick. Peters didn’t last long, a victim of that same defensive scheme shift. What did the Chiefs do with those picks? They drafted Armani Watts in 2018, but more importantly, Juan Thornhill in 2019. Thornhill? He went on to have a seriously successful stint in Kansas City, becoming a **two-time Super Bowl winner**. Yeah, letting a pick go that helped build a dynasty? That’s a definite **Loss**.
It’s wild to look back at these moves. From offloading busts to swinging for the fences with guys like Talib, McVay and Snead clearly weren’t afraid to reshape their roster year after year. Every trade carries a risk, and while some paid off big time, you gotta wonder how much some of those “losses” still sting when you see what those picks turned into for other teams. It just goes to show you, every single move has a ripple effect that can impact seasons far down the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
Leave a Reply