Robert Quinn traded from Rams to Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins added another piece to their defense, prying Robert Quinn away from the Los Angeles Rams in a trade on Friday afternoon.

Only a week ago, the Rams reportedly refused to put Robert Quinn in a trade that sent Marcus Peters to them from the Kansas City Chiefs for second and fourth-round picks. Now, Los Angeles general manager Les Snead has decided Quinn had to go, dealing him to the Dolphins.

While the compensation is unclear at this juncture (and will be updated in this space as soon as possible), the Dolphins are getting a veteran pass-rusher. Quinn, 27, has not had double-digit sacks since 2014 but remains a good player, notching 8.5 for the NFC West champions.

UPDATE: The Dolphins traded a mid-round pick for Quinn’s services

So why would the trade work for both sides? Miami needed a pass-rushing compliment to Cameron Wake, and a younger one at that. Wake was a one-man band the last two years without Olivier Vernon alongside him, after Vernon went to the New York Giants.

However, the Dolphins must clear cap space and then some to make this move possible by the new league year on March 14. According to Over The Cap, Miami was already $8 million above the projected salary threshold. Quinn is due $12.3 million this year and $12.9 million in 2019, although there is no dead money involved.

One easy way would be trading Jarvis Landry, who is on the franchise tag for $16.2 million. Another would be restructuring the deal of Ndamukong Suh, although that pushes the issue down the road.

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As for the Rams, this clears $11.4 million off their books. Los Angeles could certainly use that money to retain some pending free agents, specifically Trumaine Johnson, Sammy Watkins and LaMarcus Joyner. After dealing Quinn, the Rams sit at roughly $50 million under the cap, giving them more than enough.