Los Angeles Rams trading away special teams staple to Houston Texans for future Day 3 pick swaps

A seventh-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, Skowronek spent his first three years in the league with the Rams, with two of them spent as a backup receiver. He hauled in 133 yards on 11 receptions as a rookie during the 2021 Super Bowl season, and caught his first touchdown in 2023 in addition to 66 yards and eight total receptions.

Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Rams and Texans will swap their 2026 sixth- and seventh-round picks in the trade.

2022 is when the Northwestern and Notre Dame product really had a chance of playing time. Skowronek achieved career highs in targets (61), receptions (39) and yards (376) while starting 11 out of the 14 games he played.

Going from that level of production to a more limited role the following year made Skowronek a bit more expendable. The Rams drafted former Texas wideout Jordan Whittington in the sixth round of this year's draft, and already roster Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Johnson. 

Skowroken's true value in his most recent season came on special teams. Only linebacker Jake Hummel logged more special teams snaps than Skowronek's 342, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Special teams turnover isn't a drastic thing for an NFL to overcome, but others will have to step up for Skowroken in that department. This trade signals how unlikely he was to make the initial 53-man roster with so many others fighting for a roster spot.