Denver Broncos–Los Angeles Rams Trade History

Denver Broncos received Izzy Lang. The locked Wave 209 research supports the D grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against Los Angeles Rams, that documented return supports the final verdict of Even Trade.

Denver acquired veteran running back Lawrence McCutcheon from the Rams in April 1980 for a 1982 third-round selection, later No. 77. McCutcheon appeared in only six games for the Broncos, made no starts and was released during the season. Los Angeles retained the future third-round asset and later used it in another transaction. With Denver receiving very little on-field value, the Rams hold the clear advantage.

Denver acquired tight end Mike Barber from the Rams in October 1985. Barber appeared in ten games for the Broncos but caught only one pass, so the club received limited on-field value from the veteran addition. The C grade reflects that modest contribution and keeps the result level with Los Angeles, whose twelfth-round return also failed to create meaningful separation.

Denver received two future selections that became Steve Roberts and Pat Kelly. Roberts did not create NFL value, but Kelly gave the Broncos two full seasons of roster service and made the package at least modestly productive. The return was not substantial, yet Denver extracted more useful football value from the future picks than Los Angeles received from Steve Busick after the trade.

Denver acquired running back Gaston Green and the 89th pick in the 1991 draft from the Rams for offensive tackle Gerald Perry and pick No. 311. Green immediately produced a Pro Bowl season for Denver, while the fourth-round pick became Derek Russell. Los Angeles received Perry and used the late pick on Jeff Pahukoa. Green's immediate peak season gives Denver the clear practical advantage.

Denver acquired quarterback Tommy Maddox from the Rams on August 27, 1994 for a 1995 fourth-round pick that became No. 124. Maddox did not develop into a major long-term answer for Denver, while the Rams likewise failed to turn the selection into standout value. With limited realized payoff on both sides, the deal settles near the middle of the grading scale.

Denver Broncos received Todd Kinchen in the 1996-08-26 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Todd Kinchen provided short-term return-game help for Denver without becoming a long-term core contributor. The direct package, rather than later movement of any acquired asset, is the basis for the hindsight judgment. Against what Denver Broncos surrendered, the result supports Even Trade.

The Rams received the 2000 fifth-round pick used on Brian Young and a 2001 fifth-round selection later moved in the Darnerien McCants chain. Young developed into a long-term NFL defensive lineman, giving St. Louis substantial realized value. The A- grade reflects that durable contribution plus the additional future asset and supports a Los Angeles Rams Win verdict.

Denver sent veteran running back Derek Loville to St. Louis for the 189th pick in the 2000 draft. The Broncos used that sixth-round selection on Mike Anderson, who won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, rushed for 4,067 career yards and scored 37 rushing touchdowns. Loville was near the end of his career. Turning a fringe veteran into an award-winning starting back makes this an overwhelming Denver win.

Denver traded the 15th and 68th picks to St. Louis to move to No. 11 in the 2006 draft and select quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler became a Pro Bowler and threw for 4,526 yards in 2008 before Denver later moved him for another major package. The Rams used their selections on cornerback Tye Hill and defensive tackle Claude Wroten, neither of whom became a long-term cornerstone, leaving Denver with the stronger result.

Denver acquired defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy from St. Louis on June 8, 2007 for a conditional 2008 sixth-round pick, not a 2007 selection. The condition produced No. 180, later Kareem Moore. Kennedy did not appear in a regular-season game for Denver, while the Rams realized tangible draft capital. St. Louis earns a B- and Denver a D in a clear low-cost Rams win.

Denver agreed to send Brandon Lloyd to St. Louis on October 17, 2011 for a conditional 2012 draft choice; the condition ultimately produced a fifth-round pick, No. 167. Lloyd immediately gave the Rams 51 catches, 683 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games. Denver, pivoting its offense around Tim Tebow, recovered useful capital for a veteran on an expiring contract and later moved the pick. Both sides benefited, with St. Louis holding a slight edge.

Denver traded cornerback Aqib Talib to the Rams for the No. 160 pick in the 2018 draft. Los Angeles paid a fifth-round pick for Aqib Talib, reuniting the veteran corner with Wade Phillips and adding him to a defense built for an immediate championship run. Talib started for the Rams when healthy and helped the club reach Super Bowl LIII. Denver created cap room and later recycled the pick, but the direct football impact favored Los Angeles.

Denver Broncos and Rams completed this transaction on 2018-04-28, with Denver Broncos receiving 2018 6th round pick (183rd overall, Sam Jones) and 2018 6th round pick (217th overall, Keishawn Bierria) and Rams receiving 2018 5th round pick (160th overall, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo). The cited historical sources support the recorded exchange and compensation. The Denver Broncos grade of C+ and the Rams grade of B reflect the relative football value visible in hindsight, with the stronger side matching the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams Win verdict.

Denver acquired linebacker Kenny Young and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Rams for a 2024 sixth-rounder during the 2021 season. Young immediately stepped into Denver's lineup and supplied short-term starting help, while Los Angeles improved its future draft position and opened snaps for other linebackers during a Super Bowl run. Neither side created a major long-term advantage, making the exchange a sensible even trade.

The Rams acquired Von Miller from Denver for second- and third-round picks in the 2022 draft, adding a proven edge rusher for a championship run. Miller became a major part of Los Angeles' Super Bowl LVI defense, while Denver eventually turned the second-rounder into Nik Bonitto, who developed into a Pro Bowl pass rusher of his own.