The running back room for the Los Angeles Rams is in dire need of a boost as it has failed to produce many explosive plays throughout the 2022 season.
Darrell Henderson has been serviceable in his snaps, but the Rams are working through an issue with Cam Akers who appears to have played his last snap with the team. The depth behind Henderson isn’t great as Malcolm Brown is far past his prime while Ronnie Rivers lacks NFL experience to be considered a viable contributor.
To that end, it’s no surprise that Los Angeles has been linked to star back Christian McCaffrey with the Carolina Panthers putting him on the trade block. Unfortunately though, McCaffrey wound up being dealt to the San Francisco 49ers for a massive haul of picks, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
Full terms:
— The #49ers get star RB Christian McCaffrey.
— The #Panthers get a 2nd round pick in 2023, a third-rounder in 2023, and a fourth-round pick in 2023. Plus, a fifth-rounder in 2024.Massive.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2022
McCaffrey is a legitimate difference-maker on offense at the running back position, so it’s no surprise to hear that Carolina’s asking price was high. The Rams were in it to the very end though which may have drove up the price for their division rivals, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
Once it became apparent Christian McCaffrey was going to be traded before the Nov. 1 deadline, there was urgency on all sides to get a deal done before the #Panthers' next game. The #Rams also made a push, but it's the #49ers who get it done for a package of picks.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 21, 2022
Rams general manager Les Snead is no stranger to making blockbuster midseason trades, and McCaffrey would have the team’s philosophy of adding high-end talent and sorting out the rest later. However, it makes sense that L.A. ultimately did not want to commit even more future draft capital to a skilled position. Now, they can look to address needs along the offensive line or at pass rush if they choose.
The NFL trade deadline is on Nov. 1 which gives teams like the Rams about a couple more weeks to sift through offers.
