San Francisco sent picks 117 and 121 to the Rams to move up…
San Francisco sent picks 117 and 121 to the Rams to move up to No. 88 for running back Trey Sermon. Sermon rushed for 167 yards as a rookie and was waived before his second season. Los Angeles used No. 117 on defensive tackle Bobby Brown III and later moved No. 121. Brown developed into a regular contributor and starter on the Rams' defensive line. The Rams received the only lasting player value and clearly won the deal.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2021 4th round pick (117th overall, Bobby Brown)
- pick 2021 4th round pick (121st overall subsequently traded, Jordan Smith )
San Francisco 49ers Received
- pick 2021 3rd round pick (88th overall, Trey Sermon)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
San Francisco traded fourth-round picks No. 117 and No. 121 to the Rams for the 88th pick in the 2021 draft. The 49ers selected Ohio State running back Trey Sermon. Los Angeles used No. 117 on Texas A&M defensive tackle Bobby Brown III and later traded No. 121 in another transaction. The 49ers were moving aggressively for a back they believed fit Kyle Shanahan's offense, while the Rams accepted the trade-down and gained two chances in the fourth round.
Why Los Angeles Won
Brown became the transaction's only lasting contributor for either original team. He developed from a rotational interior defender into a regular part of the Rams' defensive line and earned starting work over multiple seasons. That is a strong outcome for pick No. 117. The Rams also retained the value of No. 121 by moving it again rather than losing the asset. Even without assigning the later selection's eventual player directly to this trade, Los Angeles extracted useful roster value from moving down.
How San Francisco Fared
Sermon's tenure ended almost immediately. He rushed for 167 yards as a rookie, appeared in nine games, and was waived before the 2022 regular season. The 49ers later found productive running backs through cheaper avenues, which further reduced the need for the player they had paid two fourth-round picks to acquire. A trade-up for a running back can work if the player becomes a featured contributor; Sermon never established that role in San Francisco.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles earns a B+ and San Francisco an F. The Rams moved down, gained an extra selection, and drafted a defensive tackle who became a useful multi-year contributor. The 49ers spent two fourth-rounders on a running back who lasted one season and produced little offense. The difference in staying power and realized contribution is substantial, making the Rams the clear winner.