Amidst the anticipation of the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in unfamiliar territory, poised to make their first selection in the opening round since drafting Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. However, as general manager Les Snead holds the reins, there’s always an element of uncertainty surrounding the Rams’ draft plans.
What is known, however, is the recent news of Trey Hendrickson’s trade request from the Cincinnati Bengals. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the story, highlighting the interest of the Rams in acquiring the 29-year-old pass rusher. Over the past three seasons, Hendrickson has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers, accumulating 39.5 sacks, 76 quarterback hits, and 34 tackles for loss while playing for the Bengals. This past season alone, the former third-round pick from Florida Atlantic recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks.
The Rams’ interest in bolstering their defensive front is no secret, particularly following the retirement of legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Snead has been vocal about exploring various options, including trading down, staying put, or moving up from their current position at No. 19 overall.
Hendrickson’s request for a trade stems from the Bengals’ reluctance to commit to him long-term. This is not an issue for the Rams, who, despite their limited cap space of $1.48 million under the 2024 NFL salary cap, could utilize restructuring to absorb Hendrickson’s $14.8 million cap hit. Looking ahead to 2025, the Rams are projected to have approximately $30 million in cap space, which could be further enhanced by an extension for Hendrickson.
To acquire Hendrickson, the Rams are not expected to part with their first-round pick. Instead, they could offer a third-round selection (99th overall) and a conditional pick in 2025 to complete the deal. This move would significantly bolster the Rams’ defense and add much-needed depth to their pass rush as they aim to dethrone the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
