THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- As the NFL’s trade deadline approaches, eyes have turned to the Los Angeles Rams, a team known for making a splash in the trade market.

Rams head coach Sean McVay hasn't ruled out a trade before the Nov. 1 deadline, saying the Rams “always look at a bunch of different avenues if we feel like it can upgrade our team,” but pointed out that any move they make is predicated on who is available.

“If I had to guess right now, I think it doesn't seem like anything is imminent,” McVay said this week. "But you never know with us, right?”

The Rams’ result on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers could really impact the moves they make before the deadline. After their Week 7 bye, the Rams are 3-3 and in second place in the NFC West. They have a tough schedule this season -- the eight-hardest strength of schedule remaining, according to ESPN’s FPI -- and if they don’t feel like they’re a serious Super Bowl contender this season, they may choose to stand pat rather than use a draft pick on a rental player.

The Rams have several positions they could upgrade this season, but will they choose the trade market or rely on getting some of their current players healthy? Let’s break it down.

Pass rush

The Rams are no stranger to adding a pass rusher at the deadline, as the addition of Von Miller last season was a big part of why they won Super Bowl LVI.

Through six games, Los Angeles only has 12 sacks, including four from defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and two each from linebacker Bobby Wagner and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Earlier in the month, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said, “Our pass rush just in general has to pick up. … Right now, we're playing decent, but you can play so much better and we all know what it looks like.”

This isn’t a spot where lack of production is related to injuries, so it would make the most sense as an area of weakness that Los Angeles could address in the trade deadline.

One of the biggest names came off the board on Wednesday when the Philadelphia Eagles traded for defensive end Robert Quinn, sending a fourth-round pick to the Chicago Bears. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Rams were “in heavy” on Brian Burns, but that the Carolina Panthers have turned down “massive offers” for the defensive end.

A name to watch is linebacker Bradley Chubb, who has 5.5 sacks for the Denver Broncos this season. He is in the final season of his rookie contract for a 2-5 Broncos team.

Watch live on Oct. 30: Broncos vs. Jaguars in London, only on ESPN+

Running back

Instead of making a trade, the Rams may turn to a running back on the roster they were excited about before he injured his ankle on the opening kickoff in Week 1: Rookie Kyren Williams.

McVay said Williams’ injury was a “bummer,” because the team wanted to get him involved in the game. On Wednesday, the Rams designated Williams to return to practice from injured reserve.

If the Rams do want to go the trade route, one name that might make sense is Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. The 2019 first-round pick is in the final season of his rookie contract, as the Raiders declined to pick up his fifth-year option. If Jacobs isn’t in the Raiders’ long-term plans, he might be a cheaper addition for the Rams. For comparison in terms of compensation, the New York Jets acquired running back James Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2023 conditional sixth-round pick, which becomes a fifth-rounder if Robinson rushes for 600 yards this season.

This group of free-agent running backs is going to be better than any we’ve seen in a while, which means a team out of contention may want to unload a running back. Kareem Hunt, David Montgomery, Jamaal Williams and Melvin Gordon could also make sense if available via trade.

The Rams aren’t desperate to add at the position, even though they’ve struggled on the ground this season. If there’s no clear upgrade for Los Angeles, don’t expect the Rams to make a trade.

Offensive line

This has been the biggest position of injury for the Rams, who have started nine different offensive linemen this season and on Sunday against the 49ers will have just one offensive lineman start the team’s first seven games.

The inconsistency has shown, as the Rams have allowed 22 sacks, the fifth-most in the NFL this season. Los Angeles ranks 23rd in team pass block win rate (53%) and 28th in team run block win rate (68%).

The Rams will get some relief this week, as center Brian Allen will play for the first time since he injured his knee in Los Angeles’ season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills. They did add veteran offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe for additional depth. Guard Coleman Shelton, who started the season at right guard before moving to center when Allen could not play, has been out since leaving the Rams’ Week 4 game with a high ankle sprain. Rams head coach Sean McVay said earlier in the week that the Rams are “continuing to monitor” Shelton’s injury, but it’s “probably unlikely” he would play in Week 8.

However, although it was against a very talented pass rush, the Rams allowed seven sacks in Week 1 to the Bills with their preferred starting line.

Los Angeles could add to this position before the trade deadline, but it seems more likely they’ll stick to the players they have on the roster, hoping that when Allen and Shelton are healthy it will make a difference for the offensive line.

Wide receiver

The Rams’ receiving corps hasn’t had consistent success outside of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, but the group will get some help as wide receiver Van Jefferson returned to practice for the first time since he had surgery on his left knee during training camp.

“You're adding a guy that's been a dynamic playmaker for us,” McVay said. “He's been in the system for a handful of years where he can play multiple spots. [I] think he's got a comfort level with quarterback Matthew [Stafford].”

The other possible addition later in the season is wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who signed with the Rams last offseason and tore his ACL during the Super Bowl. Several Rams players and coaches have not been quiet about their desire for Beckham to return to Los Angeles.

Regardless of who it is, don’t expect the Rams to make a big move to add a wide receiver, as they’re looking to lean on Kupp, Allen Robinson II and Jefferson.