The Myles Garrett trade is official as of June 1, 2026, marking a seismic shift in the NFL defensive landscape. The Los Angeles Rams have acquired one of the league's most dominant pass rushers, instantly transforming their defensive line into the most formidable in the NFL. For fantasy football players, especially those in leagues that reward sacks and defensive touchdowns, this trade represents a huge opportunity.
The Trade Details
The Cleveland Browns sent Myles Garrett, a generational talent at defensive end and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, to the Rams. In return, the Browns received linebacker Jared Verse, a 2024 first-round pick, as well as a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick. This haul provides the Browns with significant draft capital to rebuild their defense but leaves a considerable void on their defensive front.
Boosting the Rams DST: A Fantasy Powerhouse
Prior to the trade, the Rams' Defense and Special Teams unit (DST) was a solid top-10 fantasy option in 2025, known for generating pressure without heavy blitzing, primarily through a potent four-man rush. The addition of Garrett elevates this unit to an elite status with a league-winning ceiling.
Garrett's consistent production has been remarkable throughout his NFL career; he has never finished a full season without reaching double-digit sacks. His ability to command double teams on every snap frees up the Rams' interior defensive linemen for clean pass-rush opportunities and opens one-on-one matchups for the opposite edge rusher. This dynamic should create additional sack opportunities across the defensive front.
For fantasy managers, this means the Rams DST should be considered a top-five weekly play, especially against weaker offensive lines. Their combination of pressure and playmaking ability also boosts their potential for defensive touchdowns, making them a prime target for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) lineups. The Rams opened the 2026 offseason with +700 odds to win the Super Bowl on FanDuel, bolstered heavily by this dominant defensive upgrade.
Individual Defensive Player (IDP) Leagues: Garrett's Value Unchanged
In IDP leagues, Myles Garrett's value holds strong at the elite end of the defensive lineman spectrum. His role with the Rams will not change significantly; he will continue to line up wide on the edge, utilizing his signature power and leverage techniques to disrupt offenses.
There is a subtle upside to his value: the Rams' more competitive offensive roster should keep them in high-leverage situations late in games, producing more potential passing downs and sacks opportunities for Garrett. This could elevate his sack floor above what Cleveland offered.
Managers holding Garrett in dynasty leagues are well advised to retain him, as his trade to a Super Bowl contender suggests he remains a franchise cornerstone. Redraft league owners hearing concerns about adjusting to a new scheme should disregard them--Garrett's skill set transcends system specifics.
Jared Verse and the Browns: What They Gain
On the other side of the trade, the Browns received Jared Verse, a 2024 first-round pick known as a relentless edge rusher with solid upside though notably not on Garrett's level. Verse's move to Cleveland marks a shift from being part of a dominant Rams defense to leading a Browns unit undergoing transition with few complementary players around him.
From a fantasy perspective, Verse's IDP value takes a modest hit. Without Garrett drawing significant attention, offensive lines can focus more on Verse, limiting his sack production. He projects as a mid-tier defensive lineman with situational upside. Dynasty managers should view Verse as a hold, but redraft owners may consider selling high or passing on him until he proves he can handle a more featured role.
Browns Defense: A Downshift in Fantasy Relevance
The Browns' defense, previously buoyed by Garrett's pass-rush dominance, now faces a substantial downgrade. Garrett's ability to generate pressure not only created sacks but also disrupted offenses and forced turnovers -- qualities not easily replaced.
With Garrett gone, opposing quarterbacks will have more time in the pocket to find open receivers, which weakens the Browns secondary and overall defensive efficacy. This will also translate to easier running lanes for opposing running backs.
In the 2024 season, Garrett was fundamental in halting offenses on critical downs, particularly third-and-long situations. Without him, those scenarios are expected to become more frequent and successful for opponents, leading to a likely fall of the Browns DST outside of the top 20 in fantasy scoring. Most fantasy players in 12-team leagues should avoid rostering the Browns DST unless desperation strikes.
Start/Sit Decisions: Week 1 and Beyond
For managers preparing for the 2026 NFL season, the Rams DST is a must-start in all fantasy formats from Week 1 onward. Their newly enhanced pass rush and overall defense establish them as a top-five DST option, warranting earlier draft consideration--potentially as early as the seventh round in a standard 12-team league.
In waiver wire formats, any available Rams DST should prompt immediate FAAB spending to secure the unit before the season begins. Their upside for defensive touchdowns and consistent sack production makes them a valuable commodity.
In IDP formats, Garrett remains an every-week lock to start. For those without him, acquiring Garrett will come with a premium price, as this trade only heightened his value.
Jared Verse, meanwhile, is a hold at best in IDP leagues. He neither warrants dropping nor should be aggressively targeted until he shows he can sustain a feature role on the Browns.
Dynasty Outlook and Team Trajectories
The Rams' decision to trade future picks for Garrett signals a clear "win-now" strategy, underlining their belief in a Super Bowl run in the 2026 season. Though the loss of a 2027 first-round pick stings, the Rams' track record of finding impactful pass rushers later in the draft helps mitigate that cost.
The Browns are committing to a rebuild. Trading their franchise defensive player for a younger edge rusher and a haul of draft capital sets the foundation for future years, but it also means the Browns' defense will likely lag in potency for the next two seasons. Dynasty managers should temper expectations for Browns DL or DST investments and monitor how they deploy the acquired picks.
Fantasy Takeaway
This trade is a fantasy game-changer. The Rams DST is a high-ceiling, elite weekly play with Myles Garrett anchoring their pass rush. For DFS, expect multiple sack opportunities and potential defensive touchdowns early in the season. Browns DST and IDP assets take a step back, with Jared Verse offering potential but no guarantee of matching Garrett's production.
In sum, the trade reshapes both teams' fantasy landscapes and signals a definitive shift in power on the NFL's defensive edges heading into the 2026 season.