Rams' Trent McDuffie trade isn't another '[expletive] them picks' deal

Les Snead wheeled and dealt his Los Angeles Rams to a world championship with an aggressive approach. From 2017 to 2023, he traded away every one of the Rams' first round picks. In exchange, he landed the veteran talent that helped Los Angeles reach the Super Bowl after the 2018 season (Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks) and then win it after the 2021 season (Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford).

But in recent years, the Rams have been boosted at the draft. 2024 brought Jared Verse, an immediate rookie of the year candidate, and a host of high level, inexpensive starters behind him. 2025's trade out of the first round looks like more of the same from a distance, but it was truly a function of the Atlanta Falcons offering great value to address an immediate itch. Los Angeles gave up the 26th and 101st overall picks in exchange for the 46th overall pick last spring and what turned out to be the 13th selection in 2026 -- a deal that, in terms of excess value, returned something along the lines of a late first round pick the Rams' way.

That brings us to another Trader Les moment. On Wednesday, Snead moved the Rams' first round pick (29th overall), fifth and sixth-round selections and a 2027 third-rounder in exchange for two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.

If you glance carefully, you might think this is another all-in move for a win-now team liable to fall apart after Stafford retires. Instead, it's the fruit of a savvy draft strategy that pays off past moves and maximizes Los Angeles' spending.

The Rams could afford to deal away the 29th pick because they've got a top 15 selection. That excess value from the Falcons deal last spring? It has a face, and it's one that's been handed All-Pro honors half his seasons in the league. With needs across the secondary, they could walk away with the draft's first defensive back AND a reliable cornerback who's already a star at 25 years old.

The Rams can afford to fit McDuffie and the contract extension that will pay him between $27 and $31 million annually after 2026 under the salary cap because they've got superstars playing premium positions on rookie contracts. Jared Verse has given Snead $35 million of production each year with an annual average salary of $3.8 million. Byron Young earned roughly $1.5 million last year for a 12-sack campaign. Puka Nacua is a $40 million player making $4 million over his first four NFL seasons.

Juggling extensions for Nacua, Young and McDuffie, all of whom are pending 2027 free agents, will be tricky but not unmanageable. All this spending was made possible because Snead, when he actually has first round assets, does one hell of a job creating value at the draft.

So while this may feel like a standard Les Snead '[expletive] them picks" trade, it's only possible because Snead crushed his first round decisions the last two years.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rams' Trent McDuffie trade isn't another '[expletive] them picks' deal