Wheeling-And-Dealing Los Angeles Rams Are Eyeing Kareem Hunt In A Trade To Bolster Anemic Run Game

The Los Angeles Rams lost out on acquiring running back Christian McCaffrey. They don’t plan on missing on Kareem Hunt.

The Rams, according to various reports, are front-and-center in trade discussions with the Cleveland Browns for the talented-and-versatile Hunt.

The Browns are eager to peddle Hunt, who asked for a trade during this summer, as he’s poised to become a free agent after the season. With standout back Nick Chubb in their stable, Cleveland seeks to build its draft capital for next year by moving Hunt this year.

L.A. is all ears as its rushing game has been the equivalent of running with two left feet.

Cam Akers was to be the bell-cow but he squawked over his usage with coach Sean McVay. Darrell Henderson, the Rams’ lead back, has just two rushing touchdowns and 181 yards.

Akers, who won’t play again on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, has landed in the Rams’ dog house.

Akers could be shed, too, but the Browns aren’t interested in another grumpy running back. Instead, they likely seek a fourth-round pick, which is a tad steep for a player tied to a club for just the remainder of the season.

But the Rams, the defending Super Bowl champions, have never been shy about burning picks for players with their win-now philosophy. That’s how they acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford, safety Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Von Miller, to name a few, and there’s little doubt L.A. is salivating about inserting Hunt into McVay’s offensive scheme for the stretch drive.

“I would say we are looking,’’ McVay said “We always look at a bunch of different avenues if we feel like we can upgrade our team as you know.’’

What’s clear is the Rams’ running game is stuck in quick sand. Among the reasons that Stafford has struggled this year is that he hasn’t had a rushing attack to keep defenses honest.

L.A. averages a measly 3.4 yards per carry, which is next-to-last in the NFL. It has scored just five times from the ground and has delivered but one carry for at least 20 yards.

Just maybe help will arrive in Hunt, although not in time to face McCaffrey and the 49ers. But come Tuesday, which is the NFL deadline, Hunt could be headed for L.A to play out his two-year, $12 million deal.

Hunt is averaging 4 yards per attempt for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 66 carries. He’s also caught 15 passes for 87 yards and a score.

“It doesn’t seem like anything is imminent,’’ McVay said earlier in the week. “But you never know with us, right?”