Blockbuster Trade Between Rams, Lions, and Two Former First Overall Picks

Former first overall pick in 2016 Jared Goff along with the 2022, 2023 first round, and 2021 third round have been sent to the Lions in exchange for a former first overall pick in 2009 Matthew Stafford.

The Rams had made it clear prior to the trade that Goff and backup quarterback John Wolford would have competed for the starting job in 2021. However, it seems that Stafford will have the starting job at the start of the 2021 season. The Lions as of right now would not have a reason for Goff to not start over Chase Daniel who still has two more years in his contract.

Stafford is clearly a better quarterback than Goff and has shown that all but 2018 when Goff had a standout year when the Rams fell to the Patriots 13-3 in the Super Bowl. Other than that, one season Stafford has not only displayed better stats than Goff but has done so on a much worse team and surrounded by better defenses. Stafford has faced defenses like past Bears, Vikings, and the Packers. Goff has had to face very good seahawks defenses, poor 49ers, and Cardinals defenses.

Stafford is the piece the Rams needed to complete their offense which will be stacked next year with an above-average offensive line, Cam Akers, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Tyler Higbee. The Rams have what they need to win now like they were in 2016. The Lions are using the opposite approach for their franchise. They are trying to build from the ground up. With Amendola and Golladay’s contracts expiring the Lions are not left with much of anything. They have D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson as two promising young players.

For once I do not think it clear as to who won this trade. The Rams and Lions both are making moves that best fit their organization. The Lions might have the slight win in this in getting a serviceable quarterback as well as some very valuable picks while the Rams only got Stafford, nothing else. I can not see this trade negatively impacting the lions too much especially since they will only play the Rams once this next season and the Lions are not building to win now. I can see how the Rams may have overvalued Stafford for two first rounds and a third, but we will see this upcoming season.