Buffalo Bills–Los Angeles Rams Trade History

Buffalo Bills received 1975 fifth round pick (#125-Charles Waddell) in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Buffalo retained the fifth-round choice that became Charles Waddell and later redirected that draft capital in another transaction, preserving usable value. The supported hindsight grade is B-. That mark reflects realized value tied directly to this transaction, with the overall result recorded as Buffalo Bills Win.

Buffalo acquired linebacker Isiah Robertson and received four productive seasons from the established defender. Robertson appeared in 57 games for the Bills from 1979 through 1982 and intercepted seven passes, giving Buffalo a sustained veteran contribution. Los Angeles received the 1981 fourth-round selection used on George Lilja, whose most significant NFL work came after leaving the Rams.

Buffalo Bills received Ron Jessie in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Jessie played 31 regular-season games for Buffalo across 1980 and 1981, catching 19 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. He gave the Bills two seasons of usable receiver depth. The B grade reflects the direct value Buffalo Bills realized from the deal, while the Buffalo Bills Win call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

Buffalo Bills received Bill Simpson in the exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Simpson became an immediate and productive Buffalo safety. The Bills credited him with 113 tackles and four interceptions in 1981, giving the club substantial defensive value after the trade. The A- grade reflects the direct value Buffalo Bills realized from the deal, while the Even Trade call weighs actual regular-season service and clearly connected draft value rather than name recognition alone.

The Rams traded wide receiver Preston Dennard to Buffalo in 1984 for a 1985 fifth-round pick. Los Angeles used that No. 113 selection on Kevin Greene, who developed into a Hall of Fame pass rusher and one of the most productive sack artists in NFL history. Dennard gave Buffalo one useful season, but the draft choice's extraordinary conversion makes this a decisive Rams victory.

Buffalo acquired Vince Ferragamo and a 1986 third-round pick, No. 77 overall, from the Rams for tight end Tony Hunter on July 18, 1985. Ferragamo struggled badly as Buffalo’s quarterback, while No. 77 became Leonard Burton, a reserve lineman. Hunter had one useful Rams season. Neither side turned the exchange into substantial lasting value, producing a modest draw.

Multi-team transaction also involving Indianapolis Colts.

The 1987 three-team blockbuster sent Eric Dickerson from the Rams to Indianapolis and the rights to Cornelius Bennett from the Colts to Buffalo. Los Angeles received Greg Bell, Owen Gill, and six draft choices: first-rounders that became Gaston Green, Aaron Cox, and Cleveland Gary, plus second-rounders Fred Strickland, Frank Stams, and Darryl Henley. All three clubs received substantial assets.

Buffalo Bills received Anthony Hargrove from St. Louis Rams, giving up 2007 5th round pick (148th overall subsequently traded, Kolby Smith). The supported return is a 2007 fifth-rounder at No. 148, not a 2008 choice. The return supports a C+ grade because the value directly tied to this deal fits that mark. The final verdict is Even Trade.

Buffalo moved from No. 8 to No. 16 and added three more picks, selecting EJ Manuel, Kiko Alonso, Marquise Goodwin and Chris Gragg. Manuel did not solve quarterback, but Alonso delivered an exceptional rookie season and later became the trade asset used to acquire LeSean McCoy, while Goodwin provided four seasons of speed. St. Louis used No. 8 on Tavon Austin and No. 71 on T.J. McDonald. Both teams found contributors, with Buffalo's depth and Alonso's later value providing the edge.

Buffalo moved up from No. 44 to No. 37 in the 2017 second round and selected receiver Zay Jones, also receiving pick No. 149. The Rams turned the return into tight end Gerald Everett at No. 44 and safety John Johnson III at No. 91. Jones had a productive 2018 season in Buffalo, but Los Angeles received two multi-year contributors from the trade and ultimately created the stronger direct return.

Los Angeles added Sammy Watkins and the sixth-round pick that became Sebastian Joseph-Day, while Buffalo received cornerback E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-rounder. Watkins supplied eight touchdowns during the Rams' 2017 turnaround, and Joseph-Day later became a multi-year starter. Buffalo got one useful season from Gaines and then used the second-round pick as part of the package that moved up for Josh Allen.

Los Angeles traded pick No. 252 and a 2024 sixth-rounder to Buffalo on April 29, 2023 for pick No. 215. The Rams selected running back Zach Evans, who appeared in 10 regular-season games as a rookie, rushing nine times for 19 yards without a touchdown, and never played another regular-season game for Los Angeles. The move-up therefore produced only a brief reserve contribution.