Los Angeles acquired edge rusher Dante Fowler from…
Los Angeles acquired edge rusher Dante Fowler from Jacksonville at the 2018 trade deadline for a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick. The Rams acquired Dante Fowler at the 2018 deadline and received immediate pass-rush help for a Super Bowl run, then re-signed him for 2019 when he produced a career-high 11.5 sacks. Jacksonville turned the picks into Quincy Williams and Collin Johnson, but neither delivered comparable value for the Jaguars. Fowler's postseason impact and strong 2019 season make Los Angeles the winner.
Jacksonville Jaguars Received
- pick 2019 3rd round pick (98th overall, Quincy Williams)
- pick 2020 5th round pick (165th overall, Collin Johnson)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Dante Fowler
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Los Angeles acquired edge rusher Dante Fowler from Jacksonville at the 2018 trade deadline for a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick. The Rams were unbeaten and chasing a championship when they paid future draft capital for a pass rusher. Jacksonville was moving on from a former No. 3 overall pick whose fifth-year option had already been declined. The trade was therefore a classic contender-versus-reset exchange, with immediate impact weighed against future selections.
Why the Value Moved
The Rams acquired Dante Fowler at the 2018 deadline and received immediate pass-rush help for a Super Bowl run, then re-signed him for 2019 when he produced a career-high 11.5 sacks. Jacksonville turned the picks into Quincy Williams and Collin Johnson, but neither delivered comparable value for the Jaguars. Fowler's postseason impact and strong 2019 season make Los Angeles the winner.
How the Trade Aged
The trade aged in favor of Los Angeles Rams because the most meaningful contribution came from that side of the exchange. The original draft-slot gap was only part of the equation; durability, starting value, postseason usefulness and any follow-on value matter more once the careers are known. The losing side still received something useful in most cases here, but not enough to erase the difference in realized impact.
Why This Trade Still Matters
This trade is a useful reminder that draft charts and announcement-day reactions cannot settle a verdict. A move up can be justified when the targeted player becomes a long-term starter, while a move down can win when extra selections create more total contribution. The fairest historical view follows what the clubs actually received and how long that value lasted.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win. The grades are Jacksonville Jaguars C+, Los Angeles Rams A-. The winning grade reflects the stronger realized football return, while the lower mark recognizes that the other club still acted within a defensible roster or draft strategy at the time.