Having traded away Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree – and with starting OLB Connor Barwin set to test free agency – there has been much speculation during the early stages of the 2018 offseason about how the Los Angeles Rams intend on shoring up their defensive front. A front seven, which in recent years was seen as the team’s top strength, suddenly has more questions than answers.
But it appears the Rams are taking steps to add depth along their defensive line. According to Pro Football Talk, the team is trying to work out a deal with Dominique Easley — a defensive tackle who missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL.
Per source, Rams currently are negotiating with free-agent DT Dominique Easley on a deal that would keep him with the team.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 18, 2018
Easley – a first round pick by the New England Patriots in 2014 – signed a one year deal with the Rams in 2016. Despite a relatively productive first season with the team, the Rams placed an original round (RFA) tender (which he signed) on Easley in May of 2017.
Unfortunately, Easley suffered a torn ACL in training camp a couple months later. It marked the third time he’d sustain such an injury, having torn ACL’s in both knees while at the University of Florida.
Since being drafted in 2014, Easley has played in 38 games, has started in three, and has tallied 6.5 sacks.