The Los Angeles Rams have acquired wide receiver Sammy Watkins from the Buffalo Bills for cornerback E.J. Gaines and a 2nd-round pick, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Rams also received a 6th-round pick in the deal.
When healthy, Watkins is one of the premier deep threats in the NFL. His speed, size, and ability to make catches in traffic should have Rams fans, who watched an abysmal offense last year, excited.
The move continues LA's effort to put 2016 former one overall pick Jared Goff in the best position to succeed possible. He struggled mightily during his rookie year, but the arrival of new head coach Sean McVay has provided Goff with a system more fit for his skill set. They also improved the offensive line by bringing in veteran Andrew Whitworth, who made 3 Pro Bowls with the Bengals. They signed a solid intermediary receiver in Robert Woods, as well.
E.J. Gaines was an important piece of the Rams' secondary in 2016, but the addition of Kayvon Webster appears to have made him expendable. As Rich Hammond of the OC Register reports, Gaines had been talking to his agent recently.
The Bills nearly simultaneously traded cornerback Ronald Darby to the Philadelphia Eagles for receiver Jordan Matthews and a 3rd-round pick. So, they essentially swapped Watkins, Darby, and a 6th-rounder for Gaines, Matthews, a 2nd-round pick, and a 3rd-rounder.
Now, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk speculates that Tavon Austin could be available for a trade with Watkins taking on his role with the Rams. Of course, Austin's bulky contract could prevent a deal from coming to fruition.
Follow Us
Subscribe