5 former first-round picks the Rams should consider as trade targets

The early part of May is an important part of the NFL calendar as that is when teams must decide whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options of their first-round picks. Throughout the Sean McVay era, the Los Angeles Rams haven’t had to do this as they haven’t had first-round picks. With that said, it’s still something to pay attention to as a player who hasn’t had their fifth-year option picked up can mean that the team that drafted them is on the edge of moving on and just needs a little push.

This offseason, the deadline to pick up the fifth-year option on the 2022 rookie class was May 1. There are 12 rookies from the 2022 class that didn’t sign a fifth-year option and out of those, eight have not already been traded. The 2023 draft class will also be one to watch as teams will need to make a decision on those players next offseason.

1. OT Evan Neal, New York Giants

The Rams need tackle depth in addition to a future at the right tackle position post-Rob Havenstein. This isn’t a position that the Rams addressed in the draft. As it stands, Warren McClendon and AJ Arcuri are the top depth options at tackle on the roster.

To say the least, Evan Neal has not been the bookend right tackle that the New York Giants drafted him to be in 2022 as the seventh overall pick. He allowed 39 pressures and seven sacks as a rookie and things did not get much better in year two. Injuries have stunted his development, but a change of scenery and coaching may benefit him at this point in his career. This is still a player with a lot of upside. As Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report and Trench Warfare wrote about Neal pre-draft,

“Neal’s blend of physical traits, polish despite limited time at one position and youth make him an immediate-impact starter at either left or right tackle with Pro Bowl potential if he can play with better overall posture and hand placement in the run game.”

The Giants are planning on moving Neal to guard which already signals a ‘last ditch effort’ type move to see if he works out. However, he is unofficially listed third on the depth chart at right guard after the team drafted Marcus Mbow out of Purdue.

It’s worth mentioning that Neal was ninth-best run-blocking tackle last season via PFF. Even if he doesn’t become the Rams future right tackle, he at least brings some swing tackle upside. For a late day three pick, this is a player that the Giants may be willing to move on from before the season begins. Immediately, the Rams would get some tackle depth. If they like what they see, they get a player who can compete for the starting role in 2026.

2. OT Trevor Penning, New Orleans Saints

Heading into 2025, the New Orleans Saints are a team that should be in a rebuild and that means acquiring picks in 2026 and 2027 to acquire young talent. At some point, they are going to have to pay the bill coming due with their cap situation. When that happens, they are going to need cheap, young talent.

Back in January, PFF noted Penning as a potential trade candidate. Since then, the Saints added Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round of the draft and signed Dillon Radunz in free agency. Said PFF’s Bradley Locker,

“With Penning struggling in his first season at right tackle, New Orleans will likely want to upgrade that slot. Moving on from Penning would be wise, if nothing but to garner some value before he hits the open market.”

Much like Neal, Penning would give the Rams a potential option post-Havenstein at right tackle. With a new head coach in place, Penning is a player that the Saints may be more willing to trade at this point. He’s dealt with injuries and last year was his first full season. At the very least, he provides an immediate swing tackle option and depth.

3. iOL Cole Strange, New England Patriots

Would it not be ironic if the Rams acquired Cole Strange from the New England Patriots? When Strange was drafted by the Patriots in the first round in 2022, there was a viral moment in which McVay laughed at the pick when Strange was selected and asked, “Why did we waste our time watching him, thinking he’d be there at 104?”

The Rams may not have as big of a need on the interior, but Strange is versatile and could compete for a starting role at center and provide depth at guard. While Coleman Shelton was signed in the offseason, Strange has higher upside.

As our friends over at Pat Pulpit wrote,

“Even though Mike Vrabel spoke positively of Strange earlier in the offseason, and the offensive line as a whole is a concern, the 2022 first-round draft pick might just be the most realistic candidate to be traded by the Patriots.”

This one is maybe a little less likely and you may be able to put someone like linebacker Devin Lloyd from the Jaguars here instead. However, the Rams are a team with a need for depth on the offensive line and adding a player like Strange accomplishes that.

4. CB Deonte Banks, New York Giants

The Rams already acquired one first round cornerback from the 2023 draft class last season in Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Forbes didn’t get a lot of playing time, only getting a run in Week 18 against the 49ers in which the Rams rested their starters. With that said, the Rams still have a need at the cornerback position and Banks is a player that was connected to the Rams pre-draft in 2023. While he had a good rookie season, Banks had a sophomore slump to say the least.

As Dan Duggan of The Athletic wrote on Banks,

“Banks’ subpar second season has been explained away by some as being scheme-related. That’s an overly favorable review for the 2023 first-round pick. Yes, Banks was a better fit in Martindale’s press-man scheme. But the shift wasn’t dramatic enough to explain Banks’ poor play. He played man coverage on 39.3% of his snaps as a rookie compared to 32% this season. The biggest change this season was that Banks was tasked with covering No. 1 wide receivers. Banks has the physical tools to stay with top wideouts, but his lack of ball skills was exposed by offenses’ best weapons. Banks allowed 8.4 yards per target this season compared to 6.3 yards per target as a rookie.”

The Giants may not be ready to move on from Banks before the season. This is a secondary that lacks talent on the outside with Paulson Adebo as the only other experienced option. Could the Rams do a player swap and send Darious Williams to the Giants in exchange for Banks? Again, Banks is only going into year three, but if he continues to struggle, the Giants may be more willing to part ways before they have to make a decision on him next summer.

5. WR Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans

Back in 2022, the Tennessee Titans drafted Treylon Burks for his upside. Between injuries and a lack of quality coaching, Burks has shown flashes, but never hit his ceiling. This is a player that the Titans drafted to replace AJ Brown and that simply hasn’t happened.

This offseason the Titans added Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett. They also drafted Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. This is a team that may be ready to move on from Burks and admit a mistake. While wide receiver isn’t a big need for the Rams, Tutu Atwell and Davante Adams are essentially on one year deals. Jordan Whittington is better as a number three or four wide receiver than a WR2. Could the Rams be the team to get the most out of a player like Burks?

The Rams and Titans have dealt with each other in the past, with Ernest Jones being the center of a deal last offseason. Burks would provide good depth along with Whittington and be someone that the team could potentially bring back to compete in 2026.