The Los Angeles Rams have pulled off a massive blockbuster trade that lands them All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The Los Angeles Rams have bolstered their cornerback position ahead of free agency.
The team has traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news via X.
The Rams traded away their No. 29 overall pick in this year's draft, plus this year's fifth-round pick, sixth-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick.
This is the ninth time since 2017 that the Rams have traded their first-round pick. While that is the case, L.A. still holds the No. 13 overall pick in this year's draft. They acquired that pick last season in a draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons.
McDuffie, the Los Angeles native, now lands with the hometown team. The 25-year-old attended one of the more premier high schools in the nation, St. John Bosco. He committed to Washington University, where he established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the nation.
He was named to the first-team All-Pac 12 in 2021 and was named to the third-team All-American that same season.
After three seasons in Washington, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted McDuffie in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 21st overall pick. The former first-round pick spent his first four seasons of his career with the Chiefs.
McDuffie has been a staple of the Chiefs' success in his tenure. In four seasons, the cornerback has recorded 246 total tackles, 178 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 34 passes defended, and three interceptions.
The two-time Super Bowl champion has been named an All-Pro twice (making the first team in 2023).
McDuffie was a name L.A. was linked to. The Super Bowl champion and two-time All-Pro already has 10 career playoff starts at just 25 years old and was set to hit free agency.
The California native has a built-in connection to the organization.
He played under former Washington head coach Jimmy Lake, whom the Rams recently promoted to pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach. That familiarity easily made Los Angeles an even more attractive destination.
The Rams had a pressing need for a cornerback, and now they have acquired a top talent in McDuffie to bolster that position.
The cornerback position was one of the Rams’ biggest weaknesses last season — a flaw that may have ultimately cost them a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. Los Angeles recognizes that, and they appear prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure they’re the last team standing in 2026.