The Rams moved from No. 26 to No. 24 in the 2004 draft and…
The Rams moved from No. 26 to No. 24 in the 2004 draft and selected Steven Jackson, sending Cincinnati the 26th pick and No. 123. Jackson became the Rams' franchise rushing leader with 10,138 yards during his nine seasons with the club. Cincinnati selected Chris Perry and Stacy Andrews, who provided some value but never approached Jackson's impact. A small move up produced a franchise cornerstone for St. Louis.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 2004 1st round pick (26th overall, Chris Perry )
- pick 2004 4th round pick (123rd overall, Stacy Andrews )
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2004 1st round pick (24th overall, Steven Jackson )
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
The Rams wanted to secure Oregon State running back Steven Jackson before another club could take him, so they moved from No. 26 to No. 24. Cincinnati accepted the short slide and added the 123rd pick. The Bengals still had a first-round selection and an extra fourth-rounder, while St. Louis paid a modest premium to choose the highest-rated back remaining on its board.
What the Returns Produced
St. Louis selected Jackson, who became the centerpiece of the offense for most of the next decade. He rushed for 10,138 yards during his Rams career, the franchise record, and produced eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2005 through 2012. He also earned three Pro Bowl selections. Cincinnati used No. 26 on Chris Perry and No. 123 on Stacy Andrews. Perry battled injuries and never developed into a consistent featured runner. Andrews became a useful offensive lineman and eventually a starter, providing the better portion of Cincinnati's return.
How the Value Developed
The price paid by the Rams was only a fourth-round pick and a two-slot drop for Cincinnati, which makes Jackson's enormous production especially valuable. Cincinnati followed sound trade-down logic and did receive two contributors, but neither selection produced anything close to Jackson's combination of longevity, volume and importance to the offense.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This is a classic example of a small draft-day move having franchise-level consequences. The Bengals accumulated an extra asset, but the Rams identified a player worth securing and were rewarded with the leading rusher in franchise history.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win is the best fit. The Rams earn an A+ for landing a long-term offensive cornerstone at a modest move-up cost, while Cincinnati earns a C+ because Andrews supplied useful value even though Perry never justified his first-round status.