Experts grade Rams' blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett: Home run for LA

[ASFN Admin]

If you thought the Los Angeles Rams' trade for Trent McDuffie was a big swing, their deal to acquire Myles Garrett vaulted that move by a wide margin. They uncorked a moonshot over the fences, sending the Browns three draft picks and Jared Verse for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

There is some risk involved in trading so much capital for a 30-year-old pass rusher on a sizable contract, but the Rams are as aggressive as anyone in the NFL and they're not afraid to go all-in when the opportunity presents itself.

Rams fans are almost unanimously in favor of this move, as are analysts and experts. We rounded up grades from several different outlets and of the six that we included, five gave the Rams at least an A.

Only one ESPN expert gave the Rams a poor grade, questioning the move and the decision to draft Ty Simpson.

USA TODAY: A​

Giving up a good deal to land a 30-year-old pass rusher might be hard for any contender to stomach. By now, however, it should be clear that Garrett is no ordinary 30-year-old, and his production seems unlikely to fall off a cliff even if it wanes in the years to come. The Rams, meanwhile, leveraged their unique foresight to take on this kind of live-in-the-now move.

ESPN: C-​

For the Rams, the appeal of adding Garrett is obvious. The trade increases their chances to win the Super Bowl this season -- and that is rightfully something to pay up for. However, I don't think this is the type of team building that will maximize the Rams' Super Bowl chances over the next several seasons. There is a drop-off from Garrett to Verse, but it's not like Los Angeles is filling a hole here. After just one season in the NFL, Verse ranked at No. 10 in Jeremy Fowler's 2025 survey of coaches, scouts and executives. Add in the massive pay disparity between the two players, and it makes it even harder to justify.

CBS Sports: A​

Let's not overthink this: How often does one of the greatest defenders in NFL history become available? Aaron Donald never switched teams. Lawrence Taylor never switched teams. J.J. Watt did, but he had sustained several major injuries, was about to turn 32 and was coming off a five-sack season when the Texans cut bait.

The Athletic: A+​

Of course, the Rams didn’t swing big for Garrett for the purpose of giving him a Hollywood-style send-off into Canton. They’ve got far more immediate plans, as the NFC finalists are chasing the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in their own division. They already acquired All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs for a package of picks that included a 2026 first-rounder.

They’re going for it, and they should. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turned 38 in February, is contractually tied to the Rams through 2027. Fresh off his first MVP award and undoubtedly fueled to keep rookie Ty Simpson at arm’s length on the depth chart, Stafford should be a safe candidate to maintain championship-level play for a while longer.

Yahoo Sports: A+​

Garrett isn’t just one of the best defensive ends in the NFL, he’s one of the best defensive players in football. And he’s not just one of the best defensive players in football, he might be the best player regardless of position. And he’s not just the best player right now, he’s one of the best players in NFL history, a sure first-ballot Hall of Famer who just set the NFL’s single-season sack record.

This move was massive for the Rams, who were already Super Bowl favorites before the deal.

Bleacher Report: A+​

The Rams had the most to gain by trading for Garrett because they have the smallest window to capitalize on his addition, hence their "persistent pursuit" until a deal was finally struck.

Matthew Stafford's age and looming retirement are baked into every decision Los Angeles makes. The Rams' quarterback may be the NFL's reigning MVP, while coming off arguably his finest season. Even so, he already turned 38, dealt with numerous injuries and considered the possibility of hanging up his cleats during each of the last two offseasons.

The Rams are the definition of a win-now team, and they have the roster in place to do so. Garrett's addition can push this group over the edge.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Myles Garrett trade: Experts grade Rams' deal for Browns star

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