Rams looking to add a WR before trade deadline

It may seem far away, but the NFL trade deadline will be approaching faster than you think. Teams have until November 5th to make any trades they need to help solidify their roster, and four teams specifically have been mentioned to be in the wide receiver market.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders would “all love to add a talented (wide receiver).”

In LA’s case it completely makes sense they would love to add a wideout considering they are down their top two options at the position. Puka Nacua on IR until at least Week 5 and Cooper Kupp down with an ankle injury that the team has not given much of a timeline on for his return.

If the Rams are looking for a new wide receiver there are some solid candidates via trade, and even one in free agency, that may peak their interest.

Adam Thielen - Carolina Panthers

Adam Thielen was a top slot receiver with the Minnesota Vikings, and while his play has dipped a bit since arriving in Carolina last year, he still topped 1,000 yards despite awful quarterback play.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Thielen looks unhappy with the Panthers, which is understandable considering that they traded most of their playmakers over the last year and just benched their first round pick at QB only 18 games into his career. Thielen could come relatively cheap, seems to fit what the Rams look for at WR and would bring a veteran savvy. It would also be a great combination of Puka, Kupp, Thielen and Robinson once everyone was healthy.

Jordan Addison - Minnesota Vikings

Addison has been a talented but troubled player since entering the league in 2023. A former first-round pick of the Vikings, he has dealt with injuries on the field and legal trouble off of it. Still, Addison posted 911 yards last season and nine touchdowns so he can play and the culture in Los Angeles may be enough to keep him on track.

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

Addison would be a huge improvement at the WR3 position when everyone is healthy, and he has proven he can handle a bigger workload due to injuries after he shined when Justin Jefferson went down for seven games last season. Addison would come with probably the biggest price tag of the receivers listed here, but he’s also probably the one with the most upside given that he’s only 22 still.

There were rumors after his DUI this offseason that the Vikings were shopping him quietly but it remains to be seen if they would actually let a young talent like him go. At a minimum though, it should be at least worth a phone call from McVay to former Rams offensive coordinator, now Vikings head coach, Kevin O’Connell just to see what the price tag would be.

Hunter Renfrow - Free Agent

I realize that Renfrow probably doesn’t get a lot of people thrilled in Los Angeles, but some forget that he did have a three really solid seasons to start his career, and at one point was being called “Kupp Jr”. He was on some bad Raiders teams and it would be super interesting to see if McVay could pull the best out of him.

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

He is still only 28-years-old and, again, fits the mold of what McVay tends to look for in his wideouts. If Renfrow can capture his 2021 magic where he posted 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns it could end up being a cheap but effective add for the Rams. Renfrow would not probably be a long term answer but could help provide some quality depth and is a true slot WR.