Rams trade proposal sends first-round pick to Chiefs for All-Pro CB for 'all-in' deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams came up just short of making it to the Super Bowl, where they likely would've been able to beat the New England Patriots.
Fortunately, the Rams will have another shot in 2026, as Matthew Stafford is coming back. With the Rams ready to go "all-in" after Stafford's return, there's a very interesting trade option the Rams could take this offseason.
As ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed, the Rams could trade a 2026 first-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. But, with two first-rounders, 13th and 29th overall, the pick the Rams would send in this deal matters a lot.
Rams trade proposal lands Trent McDuffie from Chiefs for first-round pick
"Rams get: CB Trent McDuffie, 2026 fifth-round pick. Chiefs get: 2026 first-round pick," Barnwell proposes. "... In acquiring the No. 29 selection, the Chiefs would have three of the top-40 picks in this year's draft..."
Not only does Barnwell have the Rams trading for McDuffie, who's one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but he has the Rams giving up the 29th pick instead of the 13th pick.
If the Rams were to actually swing this trade, sending 29th overall for one year of McDuffie to go "all-in" for the 2026 season in what could be Stafford's final season would be a reasonable use of that first-round pick.
The Rams, if they had someone like McDuffie on the roster last year, might've been able to slow down Sam Darnold in the NFC Championship game.
McDuffie is 25 years old and would only be with the Rams for one season, barring a contract extension. But, with how much the Rams need a cornerback, sending their 29th overall pick would be well worth it to bring in an All-Pro CB like McDuffie.
More: Rams urged to upgrade CB room after Sam Darnold's 346-yard NFC Championship outing
Adding someone as good as McDuffie, who has three career interceptions, 34 passes defended, and an 89.4 passer rating allowed in his career, would be the exact kind of addition the Rams need.
It's not a cheap trade for the Rams, but considering how badly they need a cornerback, McDuffie is the kind of player the Rams, led by Sean McVay and Les Snead, should be willing to splurge on.
Thanks to having two first-round picks, one at 13th overall and the other at 29th overall, the Rams have the leeway to spend their first-round picks on a starter-level talent.
Keeping 13th overall will give them a chance to land a star early in the draft, while their later first-rounder, as Barnwell proposes, could be used to bring in a veteran like McDuffie to bolster their team at a position of need.
More Rams news:
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- Oldest MVP winners in NFL history: Where Matthew Stafford would rank compared to Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers
- Rams GM teases all-in offseason if Matthew Stafford returns to L.A.
- Sean McVay has hilarious reaction to Rams getting coaching staff constantly poached