Von Miller to Bills
- Thread starter Ramon Ram
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I think that number is lowered if he is traded. The trading team eats the signing bonus, I think.
Out of the FA's left, I like key that's almost a sack a game last season at 50 snaps a game
BonifayRam
Legend
6 free-agent pass rushers who could replace Von Miller for the Rams
6 free-agent pass rushers who could replace Von Miller for the Rams
With Von Miller gone, the Rams could target these 6 free agents to potentially replace him
Wed, March 16, 2022
Von Miller spurned the Rams on Wednesday, choosing to sign a massive six-year deal worth $120 million with the Bills. He said it was a tough decision and went back and forth, but it turns out the Bills’ offer was likely much more than the Rams were willing to pay.
Now, Los Angeles must turn its attention to his replacement. The Rams could go with Terrell Lewis and Justin Hollins opposite Leonard Floyd, but they shouldn’t sit idly by while other pass rushers sign elsewhere.
Here are six free agents who are still available and could take Miller’s spot.
Dante Fowler Jr.
A reunion with Fowler should definitely be a consideration. He had his best season with the Rams in 2019 and it’s no coincidence that it came with Aaron Donald drawing double-teams on the interior. He would come cheap, too, after disappointing with the Falcons for two seasons. He has just 7.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits in 28 games since leaving the Rams, so he should be interested in coming back to Los Angeles, as well.
Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney is one of the last big-name pass rushers left on the market. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be a productive star like Miller was. He’s still a good defender and contributes against both the run and the pass, but he’s not the dynamic edge rusher the way he was when he made three straight Pro Bowls in 2016-2018. He still had nine sacks last season with the Browns and hit the quarterback 19 times, bouncing back after a terrible year with the Titans.
Trey Flowers
Flowers was just released by the Lions on Wednesday after two injury-plagued years in Detroit. He’s played only 12 games the last two seasons, but when healthy, Flowers is an all-around edge defender who fits well in a 3-4 defense. Given his injury history, his price might be discounted a little bit, but regardless, Flowers can play and was incredibly consistent during his time with the Patriots.
Lorenzo Carter
Carter is a younger pass rusher at just 26 years old and while he doesn’t have a single season with huge numbers, he was productive in 2021 with the Giants. He had five sacks and 50 tackles, also breaking up five passes and forcing two fumbles. A short-term deal allowing Carter to play alongside Donald and Floyd would be wise for both sides, giving him a chance to start at outside linebacker in L.A.
Justin Houston
Houston is 33 years old like Miller is about to be, but he can still play – especially as a situational pass rusher. This past season with the Ravens, he had 4.5 sacks in 15 games, hitting the quarterback 17 times. He’s typically good for seven-plus sacks each year, and having a veteran presence on the edge would not only help the Rams in pass-rushing situations, but he could also work with younger guys such as Terrell Lewis and Chris Garrett.
Melvin Ingram
The last two years have been somewhat disappointing for Ingram, but from 2015-2019, he never had fewer than seven sacks in a season. He showed he can still rush the passer while with the Chiefs last season, and he was particularly good against the run, too. If Ingram can stay healthy, he can be a 10-sack player – especially with the trend of edge rushers driving up their sack numbers when joining the Rams.
And he sucks against the run (that’s why his snaps were limited) and just happened to have his best year in a contract year. The kid dropped to the third round in his draft year based on issues with his effort - or lack thereof.
That’s not the man you sign to a multiyear deal.
What sucks is AD seemed to really want to run the squad back. And there's nobody available on defense who is available who could give AD the same good vibes, except maybe Bobby Wagner. If we miss on Wagner, Miller and Jack got signed today, we're at slim pickens.
Von leaving is a huge hit to the gut.
Von leaving is a huge hit to the gut.
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
I’d get Dante Fowler. I’d also look at Flowers health. Bring him in for an exam. Get someone that won’t affect the comp formula.
I loved Fowler’s backside pursuit stopping the run.
I loved Fowler’s backside pursuit stopping the run.
Damn, a lot of doom and gloom in this thread. Yes, it sucks that we couldn't resign Von but it's apparent it wasn't for lack of effort. The Bills offered him a killer contract, they're a contender and Von SHOULD be trying to secure the bag at this point in his career. This might be the last big money contract he fetches. Our front office has some work to do replacing him but it's not like we were trash before he came over.
For those complaining about the draft picks we gave up for him, I'd do it again this year for any player if it guaranteed us a Lombardi. We play a season at a time and we went all in this past year. We accomplished our mission, nothing else was guaranteed after we won. Enjoy the present and have faith in the front office.
For those complaining about the draft picks we gave up for him, I'd do it again this year for any player if it guaranteed us a Lombardi. We play a season at a time and we went all in this past year. We accomplished our mission, nothing else was guaranteed after we won. Enjoy the present and have faith in the front office.
So basically you hate on a solid young rotational pass rusher who may be less expensive than all the other 'name' Edge rushers folks are bandying about ?
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
Another option previously mentioned is to look at a safety or corner upgrade.
I know Jourdan said the Rams like the idea of Wagner, but I think he could still command a big contract despite his slight decline. I regally liked what I saw from Ernest Jones anyway.
I know Jourdan said the Rams like the idea of Wagner, but I think he could still command a big contract despite his slight decline. I regally liked what I saw from Ernest Jones anyway.
No hard feelings.. He was worth the picks. He got more money than we could afford. Can't blame him when they over pay. I know he has been breaking down the last few years. So don't think he plays a whole season. Especially in that cold.
From the team perspective, the extra years allow them to reduce the cap hit of his signing bonus. It'll hurt when they release him in 2-3 years, but cap increases lessen the blow.
I have no hate against Key. If it were a very inexpensive one year contract, sure, but I don’t want the Rams to sign him longterm unless Donald got on his ass immediately about effort and holding up against the run - something we need to do against teams like the 69ers.
We all like Jones. It's the other ILB position we're very iffy with.
I think he is worth a solid two-year deal with third option/out year.
I still like Fowler too.
As stated earlier Rams might be able to get Gilmore too which would help the pass rush.