Rams to trade former team captain to Texans

Reports from Thursday indicated the Rams were planning on waiving the 26-year-old. That process would have left all NFL teams available to put in a claim. 

Houston will jump the line by agreeing to swap sixth- and seventh-round picks with Los Angeles in 2026, per Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport. One year remains on Skowronek’s rookie contract.

As would have been the case by waiving the former seventh-rounder, this transaction will create just over $1M in cap savings for the Rams. 

The Texans, meanwhile, have made another addition to their WR room, one which of course now includes Stefon Diggs. He will be counted on as a key member of the team’s passing attack, but Skowronek’s run blocking and special teams acumen will make him a valued role player.

The latter had a negligible role on offense in 2021 and 2023. In between that time, however, he logged a snap share of 82 percent and made 39 catches. 

Skowronek will not be counted on to command many targets in Houston, considering the other pass-catchers the team has aside from Diggs. The Texans return the likes of Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Robert Woods at the receiver position. They also have tight end Dalton Schultz under contract for the next three years.

Expectations will be high for the Texans moving forward after their surprise run to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2023. If Skowronek can hold down a depth role this season, he could set himself up for an extended stay in Houston or boost his free-agent market in 2025. 

For the Rams, meanwhile, this move will place an increased emphasis on starters Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua remaining healthy and productive moving forward, as they were last season.

Los Angeles re-signed both Tyler Johnson and Demarcus Robinson this offseason, and the latter in particular will be counted on to serve as a depth WR contributor. The Rams also have new tight end Colby Parkinson in place as another secondary pass-catcher. 

They will proceed without Skowronek’s third-phase contributions as they look to build off their postseason appearance from last season.