Featured NFL Trade Verdict

Myles Garrett to the Rams: One of the Biggest Defensive Trades Ever

Los Angeles paid a massive price for a generational pass rusher, while Cleveland chose a package built around Jared Verse and future draft capital.

June 1, 2026 Cleveland Browns - Los Angeles Rams View complete team-to-team trade history Record confidence: Medium Editorial Locked

Cleveland Browns Received

  • player Jared Verse
  • pick 2027 first-round pick
  • pick 2028 second-round pick
  • pick 2029 third-round pick

Los Angeles Rams Received

Cleveland Browns

B+

Los Angeles Rams

A-

Trade Summary

Los Angeles acquired reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in June 2026, sending Cleveland young edge rusher Jared Verse plus first-, second- and third-round picks across the next three drafts. Garrett arrived after setting the NFL single-season sack record with 23 in 2025. The Rams get the present-day edge for landing the proven superstar, while Cleveland's enormous return keeps the long-term verdict open.

Trade Analysis

What the Trade Actually Did

On June 1, 2026, the Rams acquired Myles Garrett from Cleveland. The Browns received Jared Verse, Los Angeles' 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round choice and a 2029 third-round choice. It was an unusually rich package because Cleveland received both a proven young edge defender and three future selections rather than choosing between immediate talent and draft capital.

Why Los Angeles Paid the Price

Garrett entered the deal as one of the NFL's defining defensive players. He had just set the league's single-season sack record with 23 in 2025 and won another Defensive Player of the Year award. The Rams were buying a player capable of changing protections by himself, and they were doing it for a roster constructed to contend immediately.

Why Verse Matters for Cleveland

Verse prevents the Browns' side from being viewed as a pure future gamble. The former first-round pick had reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons and won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. Cleveland therefore replaced an older superstar with a much younger premium-position defender while also adding three choices spread across future drafts.

The Time-Horizon Difference

Los Angeles is judging the trade by what Garrett can do now. Cleveland is judging it by what Verse becomes and how well the organization converts the 2027, 2028 and 2029 picks. Those timelines make both strategies coherent even though the Rams surrendered a tremendous amount of value.

Why the Grade Is Provisional

As of August 2026, Garrett has not played a regular-season game for Los Angeles, and the future choices cannot yet be judged. Any final historical conclusion would be premature.

Final Verdict

The Rams hold a narrow present-day edge because they acquired the best established player in the transaction at the height of an all-in championship window. Cleveland's B-plus reflects a powerful return that could eventually flip the verdict if Verse and the future selections become core pieces.

Sources 4 references
For Hardcore NFL Heads

One of the Biggest Defensive Trades in NFL History

Elite pass rushers almost never become available in their prime, and Myles Garrett was more than merely elite. The Rams did not acquire a rebuilding piece or a developmental prospect. They acquired a player capable of changing offensive game plans every week. That reality alone places this transaction among the most significant defensive trades of the modern era.

Why the Rams Went All In

The Rams have spent the better part of a decade operating under a simple philosophy: when a championship window opens, attack it aggressively. Los Angeles viewed Garrett as the type of player who could transform an already strong roster into a Super Bowl favorite. For a franchise with championship aspirations, Garrett represented certainty in a league filled with uncertainty.

Why Cleveland Accepted the Deal

From Cleveland's perspective, the decision centered on long-term value. Trading a franchise icon is never popular, but the Browns extracted one of the strongest defensive trade packages seen in years. Jared Verse arrived as a young cornerstone player rather than a speculative asset, and Cleveland also secured multiple premium draft selections.

Final Verdict

This trade illustrates the tension between proven greatness and future flexibility. Cleveland received a substantial return, but history tends to favor teams that acquire truly elite players. Garrett was not merely a star; he was arguably the most impactful defensive player in football when the deal occurred. For now, the Rams earn the stronger grade because they acquired a proven generational talent.