The Rams surrendered pick No. 41 to Carolina and received…
The Rams surrendered pick No. 41 to Carolina and received Nos. 57, 89 and 201. Carolina used the premium pick on Devin Funchess, who became a useful starting receiver and scored 21 regular-season touchdowns in his career. The Rams' prize was Rob Havenstein, who developed into a long-tenured starting right tackle and outlasted every other player in the exchange. That durability makes the Rams the winner.
Carolina Panthers Received
- pick 2015 2nd round pick (41st overall, Devin Funchess)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2015 2nd round pick (57th overall, Rob Havenstein), 2015 3rd round pick (89th overall, Sean Mannion) and 2015 6th round pick (201st overall, Bud Sasser)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Carolina traded picks No. 57, 89 and 201 to the Rams for pick No. 41 during the 2015 draft. The Panthers selected Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess. The Rams used No. 57 on Wisconsin tackle Rob Havenstein, No. 89 on quarterback Sean Mannion and No. 201 on receiver Bud Sasser. The deal was a classic move-up for one targeted skill player against a package built around extra draft volume.
Why Carolina Wanted Funchess
The Panthers needed another large receiving target for Cam Newton and believed Funchess could complement Kelvin Benjamin. Funchess became useful rather than transformative. He spent four seasons with Carolina, posted his best year in 2017 and gave the offense red-zone production. That is meaningful second-round value, particularly for a team that reached Super Bowl 50 during his rookie season, even though he never became a true No. 1 receiver.
How Havenstein Changed the Math
Havenstein made the Rams' side age exceptionally well. He won a starting job immediately and became a long-term answer at right tackle through the franchise's move from St. Louis to Los Angeles. His durability and sustained starting role gave the Rams years of offensive-line stability, including on championship-caliber teams. Mannion supplied backup-quarterback depth; Sasser did not add meaningful value, but the trade did not need either pick to hit once Havenstein became a fixture.
Final Verdict
Carolina did not make a bad trade. Funchess was a real contributor and justified much of the move-up logic. The Rams simply found the most valuable and durable player in the transaction at No. 57. A long-tenured starting tackle carries more cumulative value than a four-year receiving contributor, and the additional selections gave the Rams extra chances on top of that. Los Angeles wins on longevity and realized impact.