NFL Trade Idea: Los Angeles Rams Acquire Carolina Panthers' Justin Houston?
The Los Angeles Rams have a decision to make ahead of Tuesday's 1 p.m. PT trade deadline. Do they add some veterans to make a push for the playoffs or do they pump the brakes and try to build on a stockpile of picks in their deepest draft pick haul in years?
Bleacher Report suggests if they decide to go with a buyer's approach that the team should trade for Carolina Panthers veteran linebacker Justin Houston.
"Improving the pass rush would be a great start, as the Rams have only 12 sacks this season. It would behoove Snead to consider adding Carolina Panthers edge-defender Justin Houston," Bleacher Report writes. "The 34-year-old is playing on a one-year, $6 million deal and can probably be had for little. With the Rams finally holding first-, second- and third-round picks in 2024, a bargain deal is probably exactly what L.A. wants."
Carolina Panthers linebacker Justin Houston (50) takes the field during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Houston, 34, only has eight tackles this season so far with the Panthers, but he provides a ton of postseason experience in his years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens.
Houston's value is not at its highest, which means the Rams could hypothetically get him for a bargain. If they call the Panthers and the price is a late-round pick or swap, it could be in the Rams' best interest to take a deal.
With the Rams' pass rush struggling all season long, adding a guy like Houston could be the piece that makes the difference between a Los Angeles playoff run or a premature exit in the regular season.
