The Los Angeles Rams are no strangers to big trades. They didn't have a first-round pick for seven seasons before taking Jared Verse in 2024. That worked out well for them, but that doesn't mean the Rams will always make selections in the first round.
The Rams have the No. 26 in the 2025 NFL Draft, but could use it as a bargaining chip to add a talented veteran at other areas in the roster like they've done in the past. And in this Sports Illustrated community draft, general manager Les Snead completes a blockbuster trade for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals' edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
In the deal, Snead trades Nos. 26, 90 and a 2026 third-rounder to pull off the trade. Then, L.A. hands Hendrickson a long-term extension that is backloaded to capitalize on the team's 2026 salary cap flexibility.
It's a crazy move that would give the Rams arguably the best defensive front in football. Hendrickson would join Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Poona Ford on the defensive line alongside edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young. Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 a year after he also had 17.5 sacks.
But would three premium picks and long-term extension be worth it? Given the amount of players on rookie deals, it would be a good risk to take if the Rams want to be all-in in 2025. It would also keep the Rams' contention window open for at least another season. However, it creates another scenario where the Rams would have to make some huge decisions on who to pay, keep or leave after 2026. And that's before they'd even need to make a call on running back Kyren Williams.
Ultimately, this probably the wrong move for L.A. Hendrickson is awesome and would help the Rams in 2025, but the cost to acquire and pay him sets the team up for some long-term issues in two years. Maybe that won't matter if they win a Super Bowl or two during that span, but this would be a luxury trade that could leave other parts of the team in question.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams make blockbuster trade for star player in new mock draft
