The Rams acquired Jalen Ramsey from Jacksonville for…
The Rams acquired Jalen Ramsey from Jacksonville for first-round picks in 2020 and 2021 plus a 2021 fourth-rounder. Ramsey became an All-Pro centerpiece of Los Angeles' secondary and helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. Jacksonville turned the first-rounders into K'Lavon Chaisson and Travis Etienne, giving the Jaguars useful talent but not an equivalent defensive star.
Jacksonville Jaguars Received
- pick 2020 1st round pick (20th overall, K'Lavon Chaisson)
- pick 2021 1st round pick (25th overall, Travis Etienne)
- pick 2021 4th round pick (130th overall subsequently traded, Robert Rochell)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Jalen Ramsey
Trade Analysis
Jalen Ramsey's move to Los Angeles was one of the clearest examples of the Rams' willingness to exchange future draft capital for established elite talent. Ramsey had requested a trade from Jacksonville, but that leverage did not prevent the Jaguars from securing two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder. For the Rams, the bet was that an expensive, proven cornerback could matter more than the uncertainty of several future selections.
Ramsey justified that approach. The Rams later credited him with 57 games and 56 starts during his Los Angeles tenure, along with 10 interceptions and 47 passes defensed. He made four Pro Bowls as a Ram and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2021. Most importantly for the team's roster-building philosophy, he was a central part of the defense that helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season.
Jacksonville's return produced more mixed results. The 2020 first-rounder became edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson at No. 20. The 2021 first-rounder became running back Travis Etienne at No. 25. Etienne missed his rookie season but became a productive offensive player after returning, topping 1,000 rushing yards in 2022, 2023 and 2025 and accumulating more than 5,000 scrimmage yards across his first four active seasons. The 2021 fourth-round selection was later traded back to the Rams, who ultimately used that part of the chain on Robert Rochell.
The Jaguars therefore received real value, especially through Etienne, but they did not turn the package into a player who matched Ramsey's impact at a premium position. Los Angeles accepted the risk of surrendering two first-round choices and received exactly the kind of elite performance it was seeking. The championship is not the only reason the Rams win the hindsight judgment, but it is powerful evidence that their aggressive strategy worked. Jacksonville's return prevents the deal from being a disaster, yet the best player and the highest-leverage results remained with Los Angeles.