Rams can no longer afford to stand pat: Here’s 7 trade targets they can acquire at the deadline

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t bring Aaron Donald out of retirement, acquire Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, and complete the greatest offseason in NFL history just to wave the white flag at the trade deadline. 

This “superteam” was assembled to chase another Super Bowl, and despite a chaotic first half of the season, those aspirations of lifting the Lombardi Trophy are still intact. 

The Rams have clawed their way to a winning record. They currently stand at 5-4 after winning three consecutive games, but their roster is injury riddled, and with Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline approaching, standing pat could be the difference between making a deep playoff run and missing the postseason entirely. 

Cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) and defensive tackle Poona Ford (triceps) are both lost for the season. Davante Adams faces a six-to-10 week recovery from a ruptured hamstring, an especially concerning injury for a wide receiver in the twilight of his career

And now, Puka Nacua is undergoing an MRI on his right knee and could miss several weeks depending on the severity of his injury. 

If the Rams were to lose both Adams and Nacua their receiving corps would become invisible. 

Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell have a combined seven catches in their last three games. Rookie CJ Daniels, who looked great during training camp, has barely seen the field, let alone a target. 

Watch any Rams game this season and you’ll see Stafford appears more comfortable throwing to his tight ends and running backs than he does his reserve receivers. 

And yet, when asked about the possibility of acquiring players at the trade deadline, head coach Sean McVay insists reinforcements are already in the building. 

“I would never rule anything out, but it would have to make sense,” McVay said Monday, pointing to the anticipated returns of Terrance Ferguson, Adams and Kobie Turner.

On Wednesday, McVay acknowledged the secondary’s vulnerability with Watson now out for the season.

“I look at it as the back end and the offensive line, those are positions you can’t have enough depth at.”

The Rams also have almost no financial breathing room. Over the Cap recently estimated approximately $8,000 in available cap space, while previous trades depleted their future draft capital, including their 2027 first-round pick.

Any acquisition would require creative accounting, salary retention or another roster transaction.

Still, general manager Les Snead should be working the phones. The Seahawks and 49ers have already strengthened their rosters by acquiring Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, respectively.

So without further ado, here are seven realistic trade inquiries I’d make before Tuesday’s deadline.

1. Donte Jackson, CB, Los Angeles Chargers

This should be Snead’s first phone call. Watson’s season-ending injury leaves McDuffie, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Josh Wallace carrying an enormous burden in the secondary. Jackson, 30, offers veteran experience, 23 career interceptions and the ability to play multiple coverage assignments. His expiring contract makes him more attainable than a young franchise cornerstone, although his recent hamstring injury demands scrutiny. The winless Chargers have little reason to cling to an aging cornerback if Los Angeles offers a conditional late-round pick. A healthy Jackson could provide immediate insurance.

2. Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Downs might be the best combination of affordability, production and immediate usefulness on this list. The 25-year-old receiver has demonstrated reliable hands, excellent separation and an ability to find openings against man coverage. His 30 receptions for 330 yards this season dwarf the recent production of the Rams’ reserve receivers. Downs isn’t a traditional outside replacement for Adams, but McVay could move Nacua around the formation and manufacture favorable matchups. With Indianapolis already selling veterans, a Day 3 draft pick could at least start the conversation.

2. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

If the Rams want to swing for the fences, Thomas is the player worth calling about. The former first-round pick exploded for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, but his production has plummeted in Jacksonville. At 6-foot-3, Thomas offers the size, speed and vertical threat Los Angeles desperately lacks without Davante Adams. His affordable rookie contract and potential to develop alongside Puka Nacua make him especially appealing. The problem? Jacksonville reportedly remains reluctant to trade him, and the Rams lack the premium draft capital to win a bidding war.

4. Isaiah Williams, WR/KR, New York Jets

Williams won’t sell jerseys or dominate headlines, but he addresses two glaring weaknesses: receiving depth and special teams. The former Illinois standout has flashed as a receiver and can contribute on both kick and punt returns, an area that has repeatedly haunted McVay’s team. Unlike a high-profile acquisition, Williams wouldn’t demand premium draft capital. He’s the kind of inexpensive, versatile player who could immediately earn a game-day role without disrupting the offense.

5. A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sometimes the smartest acquisition is bringing back somebody who already knows the building. Robinson helped the Rams win a Super Bowl and could provide much-needed muscle after Poona Ford’s season-ending triceps injury. At 320 pounds, he’s capable of occupying blockers and strengthening the interior run defense. Tampa Bay would have to be willing to sell, but a modest draft pick for an experienced, familiar defensive lineman is worth investigating. The Rams need reinforcements, not another expensive superstar.

6. Ashton Dulin, WR/ST, Indianapolis Colts

Here’s a name that should interest Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. Dulin developed into an All-Pro special teams contributor under Ventrone in Indianapolis, and that familiarity could make his transition relatively painless. He’s an excellent blocking receiver, a capable kick returner and a proven coverage specialist. He won’t replace Adams’ receiving production, but he could improve three different areas of the roster. With the Colts unloading veterans, Snead should inquire about a late-round deal.

7. Troy Dye, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Dye isn’t a glamorous acquisition, but his coverage ability, physicality and special teams experience would provide valuable depth. The Chargers’ winless start makes them a logical trade partner, although convincing a cross-town rival to help the Rams might require some persuasion. Dye could strengthen coverage units and provide another dependable linebacker behind Nate Landman. He also fits the profile of an affordable veteran who could contribute immediately without requiring the Rams to sacrifice another premium draft pick.

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