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By: Cameron DaSilva | 3 hours ago
The Los Angeles Rams have been looking for a complementary pass rusher to Aaron Donald for quite some time now. Robert Quinn had a couple of dominant seasons, but only one of them was next to Donald. Connor Barwin didn’t work out the way the Rams hoped, nor did the Matt Longacre-Samson Ebukam experiment last year.
Donald has led the team in sacks every year since 2015, blowing away his teammates last season with 20.5 by himself – half of the Rams’ total and 16 more than any other player.
The search for a reliable edge rusher continues, but the Rams hope Dante Fowler Jr. can be the answer to their problems at outside linebacker. He showed potential last year in only half the season, but he got off to a roaring start in 2019.
Fowler sacked Cam Newton twice on Sunday in Week 1, both of which were thanks to the help of Donald drawing two or three blockers. That’s what happens when No. 99 is on the defensive line, but Fowler has some talent of his own.
Donald believes he can be a double-digit sack guy every single season.
“He’s a guy that can definitely get double-digit sacks every season,” Donald told Rams Wire on Tuesday. “That’s just the type of pass rusher he is. Him just learning and working and continuing to learn the game and his skills and how he’s supposed to play, I feel like the sky’s the limit for Dante. He’s always been a great athlete and can be a great football player. And definitely having the first game dominating the way he did, I feel like that’s going to give him more confidence right now. Just keep finding ways to get better, don’t be satisfied, keep working and I feel like the sky’s the limit for Dante and he’s getting better each week.”
Fowler’s explosiveness and athleticism are apparent every single week. That’s never been a question with his game. It’s more about his pass-rush moves and technique; he relies heavily on a counter-spin move.
But thanks to a full offseason with the Rams and working alongside Donald, Fowler has the ability to rack up the sacks – especially with teams focusing so much attention on Donald.
The Rams could finally have the dynamic edge rusher they’ve been looking for, but if they want him long-term, they’ll need to sign him to an extension. He’s only under contract through this season.
The better he plays this season, the higher his price tag will go – potentially all the way out of the Rams’ range.
Aaron Donald says Dante Fowler can get double-digit sacks every year
Aaron Donald believes “the sky’s the limit” for Dante Fowler Jr.
theramswire.usatoday.com
