NFL Trade Verdict

Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams Win

Summary: Jacksonville traded CB Jalen Ramsey to the Rams for two 1st-round picks (20th overall, K'Lavon Chaisson; 25th overall, Travis Etienne) and a 4th. Analysis: Ramsey was the best cornerback in football at the time and had been holding out. Jacksonville maximized the return — two firsts and a fourth for a holdout player is strong compensation. Chaisson was a bust (D+ as a prospect), but Etienne became one of the premier running backs in the NFL. The Rams won the Super Bowl with Ramsey as a key piece, and he earned multiple All-Pro selections. The correct verdict acknowledges both sides: Jacksonville extracted maximum possible value from a forced situation and hit on one of two firsts. C- understates Jacksonville's return — this should be a B- or C+ at minimum. Grade revised to B-.

October 16, 2019 Jacksonville JaguarsLos Angeles St Louis Rams Confidence: high Tier: major

Jacksonville Jaguars Received

Trade Summary

Summary: Jacksonville traded CB Jalen Ramsey to the Rams for two 1st-round picks (20th overall, K'Lavon Chaisson; 25th overall, Travis Etienne) and a 4th. Analysis: Ramsey was the best cornerback in football at the time and had been holding out. Jacksonville maximized the return — two firsts and a fourth for a holdout player is strong compensation. Chaisson was a bust (D+ as a prospect), but Etienne became one of the premier running backs in the NFL. The Rams won the Super Bowl with Ramsey as a key piece, and he earned multiple All-Pro selections. The correct verdict acknowledges both sides: Jacksonville extracted maximum possible value from a forced situation and hit on one of two firsts. C- understates Jacksonville's return — this should be a B- or C+ at minimum. Grade revised to B-.

Trade Analysis

Summary: Jacksonville traded CB Jalen Ramsey to the Rams for two 1st-round picks (20th overall, K'Lavon Chaisson; 25th overall, Travis Etienne) and a 4th. Analysis: Ramsey was the best cornerback in football at the time and had been holding out. Jacksonville maximized the return — two firsts and a fourth for a holdout player is strong compensation. Chaisson was a bust (D+ as a prospect), but Etienne became one of the premier running backs in the NFL. The Rams won the Super Bowl with Ramsey as a key piece, and he earned multiple All-Pro selections. The correct verdict acknowledges both sides: Jacksonville extracted maximum possible value from a forced situation and hit on one of two firsts. C- understates Jacksonville's return — this should be a B- or C+ at minimum. Grade revised to B-. The Rams paid two 1st-round picks and a 4th for Ramsey, who anchored their secondary through a Super Bowl run and earned multiple All-Pro honors. Los Angeles got an elite player at the cost of significant future capital, which worked because they won the Super Bowl. An expensive but justified acquisition for a title contender. Grade: B+