Rams and Patriots got creative with conditions of draft picks in Sony Michel trade

Rams general manager Les Snead is never one to sit idly by when there’s an opportunity to add talent to Los Angeles’ roster. He made a move on Wednesday morning to help the running back depth, acquiring Sony Michel from the Patriots for two conditional draft picks.

The conditions of the trade are interesting, however.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Rams traded fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Patriots. However, if L.A. gets a fourth-round compensatory pick in 2022, that pick will be traded to New England and the Rams will get to keep their fifth- and sixth-rounders.

So essentially, the highest cost of the trade will be a pick at the end of the fourth round.

According to Over The Cap, the Rams are projected to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for the loss of John Johnson, as well as four sixth-rounders for the departures of Samson Ebukam, Gerald Everett, Troy Hill and Morgan Fox. The formula isn’t publicly known, but it’s loosely based on the player’s contract and playing time.

The Rams don’t have a first-round pick in 2022 because of the Matthew Stafford trade, but they do have a second-rounder and two thirds because of the extra compensatory pick they’ll receive for Brad Holmes being hired as the Lions’ general manager this offseason.