Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead is no stranger to blockbuster trades, having swung deals for future Hall of Famer edge rusher Von Miller along with Super Bowl champions Jalen Ramsey and Matthew Stafford. After a quiet 2023 offseason, Los Angeles might have something cooking again.
After surprisingly reaching the playoffs last year, the Rams are currently poised to make their first pick in Round 1 of the NFL Draft since 2016. Just last year, Los Angeles made its first pick within the top 40 selections since that same 2016 draft class.
- Los Angeles Rams cap space 2024: $27.699 million
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While Snead and the Rams’ front office are heavily scouting the 2024 NFL Draft class, seeking to address needs on both sides of the ball, it appears there’s a chance Los Angeles swings another trade for a Pro Bowl defender.
Previewing the team’s offseason, ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler suggested the Rams could revisit a trade for Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns this spring.
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Could The Los Angeles Rams Trade For Brian Burns?
- Brian Burns stats 2023: 18 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, 8 sacks
Burns, heading into his age-26 season, has been on the team’s radar for years. Ahead of the 2022 NFL trade deadline, Los Angeles offered two first-round picks and a second-round pick to Carolina for Burns but the offer was declined. The Rams again had him on their radar ahead of the 2023 NFL trade deadline, but the Panthers still refused to entertain offers.
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Things could be very different in 2024. Burns is an impending free agent and is expected to receive the franchise tag from Carolina. However, he’s been named by insiders as a potential tag-and-trade candidate with the Panthers in desperate need of draft picks and offensive weapons to support Bryce Young.
Los Angeles could immediately trade for Burns and sign him to a contract extension, distributing his cap hits between 2024, 2025 ($80.122 million of cap space), and 2026 ($178.444 million in cap space). If acquired, he could join Byron Young and Kobie Turner as the Rams’ pass-rushing trio of the future, all while providing Aaron Donald with a strong supporting cast around him next season.
