Washington acquired Adam Carriker while moving down 28 spots…
Washington acquired Adam Carriker while moving down 28 spots in the fifth round and up three spots in the seventh. Carriker started 33 games and recorded seven sacks for Washington. St. Louis later traded the incoming fifth-rounder and used part of the return on Eugene Sims, who played seven seasons for the Rams and recorded 12 sacks. Both clubs found meaningful defensive value, making this a genuine draw.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2010 5th round pick (135th overall subsequently traded, Dominique Franks)
- pick 2010 7th round pick (211th overall, Marquis Johnson)
Washington Commanders Received
- player Adam Carriker
- pick 2010 5th round pick (163rd overall subsequently traded, Reshad Jones )
- pick 2010 7th round pick (208th overall subsequently traded, Thomas Welch )
Trade Analysis
Why Washington Took Carriker
Washington acquired Adam Carriker from St. Louis while exchanging fifth- and seventh-round positions in the 2010 draft. The Rams sent Carriker, No. 163 and No. 208; Washington sent No. 135 and No. 211. Carriker had missed the entire 2009 season, but Washington reunited him with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and gave him a fresh role in its front.
What Carriker Gave Washington
Carriker immediately became a starter. He started all 16 games in 2010 and 15 more in 2011, totaling seven sacks across his first two Washington seasons. A knee injury limited him to two games in 2012 and ultimately shortened the rest of his career, but the club still received 33 starts from a player acquired largely through a move down in the fifth round.
How St. Louis Reworked the Picks
The Rams did not simply keep No. 135. They traded it to Atlanta for No. 149 and No. 189. The sixth-rounder became Eugene Sims, who stayed with the Rams for seven seasons, played 99 games, made 20 starts and recorded 12 sacks. That downstream conversion gave St. Louis a long-lived rotational defender even though Carriker himself was leaving the organization.
Why the Returns Balance Out
Washington received the better immediate starter, while St. Louis created more longevity through Sims. The other late selections in the original swap did not produce enough additional value to create a clear separation. Carriker’s healthy Washington peak and Sims’ long Rams tenure are different forms of useful return.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Washington earns a B- for two strong starting seasons from Carriker. The Rams also receive a B- because the pick chain produced seven seasons of Sims. Both organizations converted modest draft-position movement into meaningful defensive help.