Myles Garrett’s Surprising Trade to Los Angeles Rams Shakes Up NFL

The Cleveland Browns traded star edge-rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, surprising many in the NFL. Despite previous denials, the Browns made the move with a favorable deal on the table.

Initial reports suggested the Browns would receive 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and several draft picks. Now that the trade is finalized, details have emerged.

The Rams acquire Garrett, a player with numerous accolades. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro, and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The trade sees the Browns gaining Verse, who earned two Pro Bowl selections. Additionally, the Browns receive three future draft picks: a first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028, and a third-round pick in 2029.

This marks another season where the Rams trade away their first-round pick, continuing a trend. The team has avoided a first-round selection in nine of the past 12 drafts. Recent picks include quarterback Jared Goff in 2016, traded for Matthew Stafford, Verse in 2024, and Ty Simpson, the 2023 13th overall pick.

As per reports from Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the inclusion of Jared Verse in the deal shifted the Browns’ stance. Rapoport explained, “When Jared Verse was suddenly in the deal, the picks got moved around a bit, and it became possible.”

With Garrett now set to join the Rams, Rapoport noted the persistence of Rams’ executives Les Snead and Sean McVay paid off.

Jared Verse, while not yet at Garrett’s level, provides the Browns with a strong defensive presence. Last season, he tied for the second-most pressures among edge-rushers in the NFL. Verse was second only to Will Anderson Jr. of the Texans, securing 100 pressures.

Verse led all edge-rushers with 27 QB hits and ranked third in hurries, achieving 64 last season. Additionally, he recorded 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, boasting a 16.1 pass-rush win-rate according to Pro Football Focus.