Los Angeles Rams–New England Patriots Trade History

Los Angeles acquired defensive end Fred Dryer from New England in 1972 for Rick Cash and the 1973 first-round selection used on Sam Cunningham. Dryer spent a decade with the Rams and became an elite defender. New England also received major value, with Cash starting immediately and Cunningham developing into one of the Patriots' foundational running backs.

Los Angeles acquired linebacker Jeff Lyman from New England for a draft choice whose exact selection has not been identified. Lyman had only three prior NFL regular-season appearances and did not make the Rams' 1973 regular-season roster. Because New England's downstream draft return also remains unresolved, the Rams did not receive enough documented value to create a clear advantage.

On 1975-09-01, Los Angeles Rams received undisclosed draft pick (selection not identified), while New England Patriots received Derrick Williams (a). The final verdict is New England Patriots Win, with Los Angeles Rams graded C+ and New England Patriots graded B. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Any conditional, undisclosed, or unidentified component is credited only to the extent that the surviving evidence establishes it.

Los Angeles traded veteran receiver Harold Jackson to New England for a 1979 third-round pick and a 1980 fourth-round pick. The selections became Mike Wellman and David Hodge, neither of whom approached Jackson’s impact for the Patriots. The Rams gained draft flexibility from an aging player, but the realized return remained modest.

New England traded defensive end/linebacker Mike Jones to St. Louis on August 30, 1998 for a future draft choice that became the Rams' 2000 fifth-round pick, No. 161. The Patriots used it on Missouri defensive tackle Jeff Marriott, who was released before the 2000 regular season.

St. Louis acquired linebacker Kole Ayi from New England for an undisclosed 2003 draft pick. Ayi appeared in six games with no starts and recorded five tackles for the 2002 Rams before landing on injured reserve. The exact Patriots pick remains unidentified in the surviving evidence, so New England should receive credit only for obtaining draft capital. Neither side has enough traceable value to create a meaningful grade gap.

The Rams acquired Grant Williams and received three seasons of useful offensive-line service. Williams appeared in 37 games with 14 starts for St. Louis from 2002 through 2004, giving the club dependable depth and occasional starting work. That direct on-field contribution was meaningful for the cost and ultimately exceeded the practical value New England realized after moving the acquired seventh-round selection again.

The Rams received a future seventh-round selection, ultimately tied to the 2015 No. 249 slot, after sending Greg Salas to New England. St. Louis preserved transferable draft value from a player who contributed almost nothing for the Patriots, giving the Rams a small edge. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Los Angeles Rams within the final Los Angeles Rams Win verdict.

Los Angeles sent first- and sixth-round picks to New England for Brandin Cooks and a fourth-rounder. Cooks immediately delivered 1,204 receiving yards for a Rams team that reached Super Bowl LIII, then was traded to Houston two years later for a second-round pick. New England used No. 23 on Isaiah Wynn, a capable but injury-limited lineman. Both clubs extracted meaningful value, making an even grade more fitting than a Patriots win.

New England sent picks No. 56 and No. 101 to the Rams to move up to No. 45 for cornerback Joejuan Williams. Los Angeles immediately moved No. 56 to Kansas City and ultimately turned the trade chain into additional selections, including safety Taylor Rapp, who became a starter on the Super Bowl LVI champions. Williams never became a comparable Patriots starter, giving the Rams the stronger return.

Los Angeles sent two fifth-round picks to New England for No. 134 and No. 243, selecting Greg Gaines and Nick Scott. Both became meaningful contributors, and each played a role on the Rams' Super Bowl LVI championship team. New England moved the two fifth-rounders onward, but the Rams' direct conversion of the acquired picks into two useful defenders creates a clear advantage.

The Rams acquired running back Sony Michel from New England for draft compensation that became a 2022 sixth-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick. Michel rushed for 845 yards in 2021, stabilized the backfield through injuries and contributed to a Super Bowl LVI championship season. New England received legitimate future capital, but the Rams bought exactly the short-term production and postseason relevance they needed.