Cleveland Browns Trade Myles Garrett to Los Angeles Rams

The Cleveland Browns have traded star edge-rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. This move occurred despite previous denials from the Browns about Garrett’s availability for trade. Initially, reports suggested the Browns would receive the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and draft pick compensation. The final trade details confirm that the Rams are getting Garrett, who is a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro, two-time second-team All-Pro, and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

In return, the Browns are acquiring Jared Verse, a two-time Pro Bowler, along with a first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028, and a third-round pick in 2029. According to Adam Schefter from ESPN, this exchange marks another instance where the Rams will go without a first-round pick, having missed this opportunity in nine of the last 12 drafts.

Since 2016, the Rams have only selected in the first round three times, including quarterback Jared Goff in 2016, who was traded to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford in 2020, Jared Verse in 2024, who is now joining the Browns, and Ty Simpson, chosen as the 13th overall pick this year.

Both Schefter and Ian Rapoport from ESPN/NFL Network reported that the inclusion of Jared Verse in the deal changed the dynamics, leading the Browns to reconsider their stance on trading Garrett. Rapoport explained, “When Jared Verse was suddenly part of the deal, the picks shifted, and eventually, both teams saw the potential for the trade to materialize.” The Rams’ persistence ultimately succeeded, with Garrett heading to Los Angeles, the sole team interested in acquiring him.

While Jared Verse does not match Garrett’s level yet, his performance is impressive. At 25, Verse ranked second among NFL edge-rushers with 100 pressures, trailing only Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans, who recorded 102. Verse led in quarterback hits with 27, ranked third in hurries with 64, and recorded 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and achieved a 16.1 pass-rush win-rate, as per Pro Football Focus data.