When the Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, they answered the looming question of naming a successor for Matthew Stafford. Now that their next quarterback is secured, Rams general manager Les Snead has the freedom to trade future draft picks instead of hoarding them to use on a top quarterback next year.
Snead has used early picks to add quality players to the roster in the past, with Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller, Trent McDuffie, and others being recent examples. Here are three more candidates, with an emphasis on bringing in a veteran pass catcher, who have situations that could (and should) put the Rams in a position to make a move for them during the 2026 season.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Wilson signed a four-year, $130 million extension last offseason, but so did Sauce Gardner, and the Jets traded Gardner away anyway. It does not appear that the Jets have any sense of direction, and after a tumultuous offseason where head coach Aaron Glenn made massive changes after just one season, this feels like another Jets hire gone wrong.
Wilson is the most expensive of all the options, but he’s also the best. I’m willing to predict that Wilson will not be a Jet by this time next year. And when it comes to the Rams, they have a need for an instant-impact receiver to assist Stafford now and Simpson down the road.
There are three points that could prohibit the Rams from making this move. If the Rams want to retain their entire defensive line moving forward, Wilson is likely too expensive. If the Rams want Wilson this year, a move would likely be made during the season. The Rams need to find out if there are any issues between Wilson and Davante Adams from their time together that could cause problems in L.A., though there have been none reported. The third point is Puka Nacua’s extension. The bulk of Wilson’s new deal kicks in next season, which aligns with a potential start time for Nacua’s new deal, once that’s done.
The Rams would need to be willing to handle over $80 million being spent on two receivers over the next few years. The good news is that Simpson’s rookie contract helps balance the books.
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
To say Jeudy was a letdown last season would be an understatement. After a breakout season in 2024, Jeudy’s production took a massive hit as the Kevin Stefanski era came to a screeching halt, a season in which multiple quarterbacks started for the team. However, even with a carousel at quarterback, Jeudy’s drop rate was simply unacceptable.
Jeudy is in an odd situation as he’s clearly a very good player who I feel has often played down to the level of expectation for his franchise. He’s never been in a winning situation during his NFL career and when his teams have just the slimmest of hopes, Jeudy begins to ball.
Jeudy needs a better situation and he could be a real successor to Adams. His new deal isn’t egregious, compared to the modern market, and I believe there’s a side to him that hasn’t been unlocked yet. I see Jeudy having a Robert Woods-like experience if he were to land with the Rams and with Woods already in the building as a coach, Jeudy would have the foundation to return to high-level play. At his peak, I still believe Jeudy could be an All-Pro, and in the McVay offense, it could result in instant success.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ decision to retain Todd Bowles as head coach was a bit of a shocker, and after the departure of Mike Evans, paired with the retirement of Lavante David, it seems the team is moving into a new era as the faces from their Super Bowl LV-winning squad disappear.
One of the remaining figures from that team is Godwin, and unless the Buccaneers have a plan for him, his future in Tampa is unclear. Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson have already established themselves as the team’s top pass catchers moving forward, while their position in the NFC South continues to slip.
I don’t think Godwin has much tread left on his championship tires, but he has just enough to take a contender to the top of the league. The only issues are the weight of the extension he signed last season and his injury history. If he’s willing to re-work his deal and if he can stay healthy, I could see Godwin making the move out west before retiring if he and the Rams are able to capture a title this season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 3 wide receivers the Rams could target in a midseason trade
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
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