2018 NFL trade deadline: How each new acquisition will help their new team
By Ian Wharton
Rams acquire edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr.
There hasn’t been a more all-in team over the last eight months than the Los Angeles Rams. General manager Les Snead has boldly revamped the roster in order to win now using most of their available cap space and a bevy of early draft picks. That continued when they acquired defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. for a 2019 third-round pick and 2020 fifth-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Rams needed to address their weakest position on the field somehow. After bypassing several free-agents who could’ve been rotational players, including Junior Galette, John Simon, and Steven Means, trading for Fowler at least gave the Rams a young starter who will immediately start.
The current rotation of Samson Ebukam and Matt Longacre has predictably struggled to make an impact on passing games. Neither has developed effective pass-rush moves to compliment Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. Entering the playoffs without a legitimate pass-rusher on one-side could have been the downfall of an otherwise terrific team.
The 24-year-old Fowler will again be asked to be a complimentary rusher instead of a creator. The Jaguars would’ve been unable to retain him as he hits free agency this off-season due to their bloated cap sheet. They did well to get a 2019 pick and to clear off his salary as they try to rollover as much cap as possible for next year.
Though Fowler hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft position, he brings some value as an effort player with occasional flashes of solid speed and power.
At his best, Fowler is a competent finisher after a teammate forces the quarterback off his initial drop. He’s not going to win on an island too often unless he develops more effective hand usage and a better plan to attack blockers, so his value isn’t extraordinarily high. There’s no guarantee he will solve the Rams’ issues on the edge but he helps give confidence the position won’t be an eyesore.
The cost for Fowler was high, though the Rams may recoup partial compensatory pick value if he leaves this coming free agency period. The Rams will have the money to re-sign him, but he’s likely not worth the cost unless he really thrives as a third-rusher. He wasn’t overly valuable for the Jaguars as a fourth-rusher, so expectations shouldn’t be too high.
If the Rams go on to win the Super Bowl, the trade will have been unequivocally worth it. That is still the case if Fowler sees a jump in his play and the Rams fall short of winning it all. I’m skeptical he’ll be a key difference-maker for the team even as he does help improve their biggest weakness.