Rams should not trade for A.J. Brown: Why?

Rams should not trade for A.J. Brown. The rumor heated up this offseason as pundits suggested a blockbuster deal. However, a close look at usage and roster math shows serious reasons to pause.

Sean McVay’s offense is shifting toward heavy 13 personnel in 2026. As a result, tight ends will eat far more snaps and targets. That change reduces receiver snaps by over one thousand across a season. Therefore the practical opportunity for a new boundary star shrinks dramatically.

The Rams already start Puka Nacua and Davante Adams on most downs. Adding A.J. Brown would force a tough roster decision, likely moving one of them. Moreover, the team invested draft capital in tight ends like Max Klare to create mismatches. In this piece, we will break down snap counts, targets, and smarter alternatives.

We will use data and personnel analysis to make our case. Because the numbers favor tight ends, adding Brown seems inefficient. Stay with us for snap math, trade cost breakdowns, and better targets.

Footnotes:

1. Season totals assume 63 offensive plays per game across 17 games. Therefore total receiver/tight end snaps are 4,284.
2. 2023 percentages come from team personnel breakdowns: 11 personnel dominated at 91%. However the exact 12 and 13 splits are not publicly granular, so those are estimated to sum to 9%.
3. Projected 2026 usage uses the team projection of 50% 13 personnel, 10% 12 personnel, and 40% 11 personnel. As a result tight ends gain roughly 1,200 snaps and receivers lose over 1,000. This shift leaves little practical snap room for adding a true boundary receiver.

Rams should not trade for A.J. Brown — Snap math and personnel shift

The Rams are shifting their offense toward heavy 13 personnel in 2026. As a result, tight ends will play more snaps and soak up more targets. Therefore the room for a new boundary receiver shrinks, even if the front office finds a way to acquire A.J. Brown.

Sean McVay has stressed tight end versatility and productivity this offseason. For example he said, “All four of the (other Rams TEs) are productive in both phases.” Moreover he noted, “So that’s what you’re looking for. If you’re going to be treated like a tight end, you got to be an extension of the run surface. You got to be functional enough that to be used as one of the five eligibles. And so (Klare) does do that.” These comments show intent to deploy more tight ends as receivers and blockers. See more context on McVay’s remarks at Rams News.

Key personnel percentages and snap changes

• 2023 personnel mix: 11 personnel 91%; 12 and 13 split roughly 9% combined.
• 2026 projected mix: 13 personnel 50%; 12 personnel 10%; 11 personnel 40%.
• Season plays assumed: 63 offensive plays per game, 17 games total.

Net snap effects

• Total receiver/TE snaps per season remain about 4,284. However receiver snaps fall from 3,094 to about 2,040.
• Tight end snaps rise from roughly 1,034 to about 2,244.
• Resulting change: receivers lose about 1,054 snaps. Tight ends gain about 1,210 snaps.

Because Puka Nacua and Davante Adams already occupy primary receiver roles, adding A.J. Brown would force roster upheaval. Moreover trade context and market pressures make such a swap costly. For background on the Brown rumor see Rams News and for receiver market context see Rams News.

Rams should not trade for A.J. Brown — depth chart, Klare, and roster overlap

The Rams enter 2026 with a clear receiver pecking order. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams start on most downs. Therefore they account for the lion’s share of wide receiver snaps. The front office also invested a second round pick in Max Klare as a tight end with receiver traits.

Depth and role notes

• Primary receivers: Puka Nacua and Davante Adams occupy most boundary and slot snaps.
• Rookie tight end: Max Klare projects as a hybrid. Sean McVay said, “So that’s what you’re looking for. If you’re going to be treated like a tight end, you got to be an extension of the run surface. You got to be functional enough that to be used as one of the five eligibles. And so (Klare) does do that.”
• Tight end group: McVay added, “All four of the (other Rams TEs) are productive in both phases,” showing intent to use multiple TEs.
• Snap shift: Receiver snaps are projected to fall from 3,094 to about 2,040. Tight end snaps should rise from about 1,034 to 2,244.

Because Klare can line up like a receiver, he reduces the need to add another boundary target. Moreover the Rams plan to run 13 personnel roughly half the time. As a result there will be fewer pure receiver snaps available. Trading for A.J. Brown would force hard choices. The team would likely need to move Nacua or Adams. In addition it would spend assets for snaps that may not exist.

In short, roster construction and snap math make adding a high-priced boundary receiver inefficient. Therefore the smarter course remains maximizing the current mix of receivers and hybrid tight ends.

That approach preserves cap flexibility, maintains locker room continuity, and respects the draft capital spent on Klare. In effect, it reduces risk while keeping offensive balance.

In short, personnel analytics show why the Rams should not trade for A.J. Brown. The Rams plan to run heavy 13 personnel in 2026. As a result tight ends will take roughly 1,200 more snaps next season. Therefore receiver snaps will drop by about 1,000. Because Puka Nacua and Davante Adams already handle primary receiver duties, there is no clear snap room for another boundary star.

Trading for Brown would force hard roster moves and cost draft capital for fewer targets. For authoritative coverage and continued analysis, see Rams News LLC at Rams News LLC and follow updates on Twitter at Twitter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)