New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has already made his impact known with the Los Angeles Rams. Phillips needs specific guys with certain roles to implement his new scheme in Los Angeles.
Starting defensive end Williams Hayes obviously didn’t fit that scheme. Los Angeles announced early Friday morning that it has traded Hayes and a seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.
#Rams agree to trade William Hayes to Miami Dolphins
Trade Details 📰 » https://t.co/YvyBpGSUv0 pic.twitter.com/uu3G4IDHLQ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 10, 2017
It seems to be a rather small bounty to receive in return for a guy that has started 34 games over the past three seasons. During that span, Hayes has recorded 14 sacks and three forced fumbles.
All said, the Rams moved up just a dozen spots in the upcoming draft while unloading Hayes’ $5.5 million cap hit for the 2017 season.
For the Dolphins, this is all about pass-rush depth. Miami released Mario Williams earlier in the offseason and needed a proven veteran to replace him in the team’s rotation. Based off what we have seen from Hayes during his nine-year NFL career, he should be more than up for the task.