Jaguars Trade DE Dante Fowler To Rams
The rich get richer. On Tuesday, the Jaguars agreed to trade defensive end Dante Fowler to the Rams, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In exchange, the Rams will send a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 
After investing heavily in their defensive line this offseason, the Rams certainly didn’t have to make this move. However, the aggressive front office in L.A. was unwilling to sit idly by and watch a former Top 5 draft pick go elsewhere.
The Jaguars fielded several calls on Fowler leading up to the deadline and the Rams apparently came to the table with the best offer of the bunch.
Fowler will offer edge rush support for a front seven that already features the likes of Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers, and Ethan Westbrooks. In limited playing time this year, Fowler notched two sacks and has played better than ever before, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus.
Fowler is in the final year of his rookie contract and the Rams have little breathing room under the cap, so it will be tough for the Rams to keep him beyond the 2018 season. In light of that, the price tag of a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick may seem steep, but it’s important to note that the Rams have plenty of draft ammo thanks to previous trades and compensatory picks.
With a disappointing 3-5 record, the Jaguars clearly recognize that their playoff hopes are dwindling. The Fowler trade does not mean they’re waving the white flag, per se, but it’s a signal that they are keeping an eye on their prospects for 2019.
Rams Eyeing Edge, Cornerback Help
No NFL team’s in a better position through eight weeks than the 8-0 Rams, but they are in the market for defensive help.
Los Angeles is looking around for edge defenders and cornerbacks ahead of the Tuesday trade deadline, Vincent Bonsignore of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Dialogue’s commencing on the outside linebacker front, per Bonsignore (on Twitter).
The Rams brought in Aqib Talib and Ndamukong Suh and extended Brandin Cooks, Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald. This meant sacrificing some at other spots. They unloaded high-priced defenders Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn, with the latter’s departure not being filled by proven players. Los Angeles is seeking edge help as a result, particularly given the opportunities Donald’s dominance creates for that position.
Not even $2MM under the cap, the Rams are open to restructures that free up space necessary to acquire help for this Super Bowl-contending roster, per Bonsignore.
While their more immediate need is on the edge, where Samson Ebukam‘s two sacks pace that position group — one that, with Dominique Easley on IR, doesn’t house a player picked before the fourth round of a draft — the Rams have been without Talib for weeks. And Marcus Peters has dealt with a calf injury. The Rams don’t appear to be hunting for corner help as much as they’re seeking edge aid, and Bonsignore writes the team doesn’t want to merely add a rental corner who would slide down to No. 4 on the depth chart once Talib returns. But the team would be more interested in corners whose contracts don’t expire at season’s end.
The Rams gave up their second-round pick to get Peters but still own their own first-, third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-round selections in next year’s draft.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Deatrick Nichols
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OG Sean Harlow
- Cut: C J.C. Hassenauer
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Brandon Bell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Devante Mays
Denver Broncos
- Cut: OG Avery Gennesy
Houston Texans
- Signed: OLB Daeshon Hall
- Cut: RB Josh Ferguson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Rolan Milligan
- Cut: QB Phillip Walker
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Raymond Davison, T Pace Murphy
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Austin Proehl
- Cut: WR Steven Mitchell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Jalen Myrick, OT Adam Bisnowaty
- Cut: DT Curtis Cothran
- Placed on injured list: DE Jonathan Wynn
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB Donnel Pumphrey
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Aaron Burbridge
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DB Justin Currie, OG J.J. Dielman
- Cut: RB Lavon Coleman, LB Azeem Victor
NFL Workout Updates: 10/22/18
Here’s a rundown of today’s NFL workouts. Each workout comes from Howard Balzer’s (on Twitter), unless noted otherwise:
Arizona Cardinals
- G Oday Aboushi, TE John Phillips, TE Gavin Escobar, G Austin Pasztor, S Rolan Milligan, S Fish Smithson
Cleveland Browns
- RBs Charcandrick West, RB Devante Mays, LB Corey Nelson, CB Jalen Myrick (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
Houston Texans
- CB Tony Lippett
Los Angeles Rams
- WR Jace Billingsley, WR Chad Hansen, WR Austin Proehl
Seattle Seahawks
- DE Damontre Moore (Twitter link via Caplan)
Okoronkwo Could Return For Rams Soon
- Rams rookie fifth round pick outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo hasn’t been able to see the field this year as he’s been sidelined with a foot injury, but could be making his return soon. Okoronkwo has been practicing with the team, and the Rams will decide soon when to bring him back according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN. The Rams’ pass-rush has been lacking this year, and Okoronkwo could potentially provide a big boost. Thiry reports that Rams coach Sean McVay is high on the young edge player.
Latest On Chargers’ Viability In Los Angeles
The Chargers’ viability in the Los Angeles market was an informal topic of discussion at recent league meetings, according to Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com. However, the Chargers are essentially locked into the city of Los Angeles, as the club agreed to a 20-year lease to share the Rams’ new stadium in Inglewood beginning in 2020, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
No owner officially broached the Chargers’ plans in Los Angeles at the NFL’s meetings, but there was reportedly concern after the team revised its revenue projections from $400MM down to $150MM. That alteration is likely due to lower ticket prices, as the Chargers recently announced plans for cheaper seats that come with personal seat licenses.
But sources tell Florio the Chargers don’t have the option to leave Los Angeles, barring an unforeseen breach of contract with Rams owner — and Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park builder — Stan Kroenke. Not only did the Chargers sign up for a 20-year lease, but the club also has two 10-year options tacked onto the end of the deal.
Moreover, the Chargers have no incentive to back out of the stadium deal, as Florio explains. The Chargers won’t pay any construction costs for their new stadium, and won’t be responsible for any cost overruns. Instead, they’ll essentially be acting as a tenant of the Rams, not a co-owner.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Kyle Friend
- Released: OL Will House
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Jermaine Grace
- Released: LB Richie Brown
Houston Texans
- Released: DB Robert Jackson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Zack Golditch
- Released: G Sean Harlow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Brandon Thomas
- Released: OL Michael Dunn
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Travin Howard
- Released: DB Linden Stephens
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DL DeShawn Williams
New York Giants
- Released: WR Kalif Raymond
New York Jets
- Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson
- Placed on injured list: LB Harvey Langi
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: LB Kyle Wilson
Rams Release K Cairo Santos
To make room for the addition of wide receiver Nick Williams, the Rams cut kicker Cairo Santos. This likely signals Greg Zuerlein will be ready to return this week.
Santos served as Los Angeles’ kicker for the past two games, making 5 of 6 field goal attempts and 5 of 6 extra points. While it’s possible the Rams could seek another replacement kicker, in the event Zuerlein still isn’t ready to come back, Sean McVay‘s hinted at his top kicker being on the cusp of a return from his groin injury for multiple weeks now.
Santos played three seasons with the Chiefs, but a groin injury he sustained during warmups before a game in Los Angeles last season sidetracked his career. The Chiefs soon added current kicker Harrison Butker, and Santos — who did kick in two games for the Bears last season as well — has not been able to land a full-time gig since.
The Brazilian specialist took over Zuerlein-fill-in duties from Sam Ficken, whom the Rams cut earlier this season. Zuerlein has now missed five of the Rams’ six games since suffering an injury that kept him out of Week 2.
Rams To Sign WR Nick Williams
The Rams are set to sign wide receiver Nick Williams, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Williams, a former UDFA of the Redskins, has history with coach Sean McVay and could contribute quickly thanks to his familiarity with the offensive system. 
Cooper Kupp is expected to miss at least one game, so the Rams were in need of support. If Williams is on the active roster, he’ll have an opportunity to contribute this Sunday against the 49ers.
Williams appeared in two games for the Titans this season, but was let go earlier this month after dropping a would-be go-ahead touchdown pass against the Bills. It was a bad play for the 27-year-old (28 in November) and he’ll seek redemption in Los Angeles.
The 6-0 Rams will rely on Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods as their top receivers while Kupp is out, but Williams will be among the depth options on hand.
Rams K Greg Zuerlein Still A Week Away
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein is expected to miss at least one more week while dealing with a groin injury, head coach Sean McVay told reporters, including Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Zuerlein suffered his injury during pregame warmups prior to Week 2, but given his skill and recovery timeline, Los Angeles opted to not place him Zuerlein on injured reserve, which would have mandated an absence of at least eight games. Instead, the Rams went with Sam Ficken for two games, during which he converted only one-of-three field goals, before signing veteran Cairo Santos in advance of Week 5. Santos made both of his field goal attempts on Sunday, but missed one-of-four extra points.
Zuerlein, of course, is one of the NFL’s best kickers, and earned both first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2017. He ranked third last season with a 95% field goal conversion rate, and made six-of-seven attempts from 50+ yards. Per Football Outsiders, Zuerlein’s work on field goals and extra points added 11.3 points of field position, good for fifth in the league.