The Los Angeles Rams are trading are trading two-time Pro Bowler? Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Dolphins are sending a mid-round pick to the Rams, likely a 3 or a 4, a source tells Schefter. The? Rams and Dolphins are also swapping late-round picks.
The veteran pass-rusher had a resurgence in 2017 after moving from defensive end to outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme of new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Quinn is set to cost more than $25 million towards the salary cap over the next two seasons. Dealing him was motivated largely by opening up space. The remainder of Quinn's contract carried less than $1 million in dead cap, but in trading him, the Rams were able to shed that and gain an additional mid-round pick.
Quinn instantly became a fixture for the then-St. Louis Rams after being drafted 14th overall out of North Carolina in 2011. In seven NFL seasons, all with the Rams, he has 62.5 career sacks, 20 forced fumbles, 218 tackles and a blocked kick.
For the Rams, the Quinn trade could signal a complete makeover of their linebacking core. They'll probably need two new outside linebackers, with Connor Barwin set to become an unrestricted free agent. And they could cut ties with inside linebacker Mark Barron, which would save them $22 million towards the cap over these next three seasons.
Quinn, a 6-4, 250-pound defensive end, should provide immediate help for a Dolphins defense that finished tied for 26th in the league with 30 sacks. Quinn, 27, will join Cameron Wake, Andre Branch and Charles Harris as the Dolphins’ likely primary defensive ends.
Coach Adam Gase said Wednesday that he anticipated Harris will compete for a starting job next season after having “a pretty good” rookie season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins will be sending a mid-round pick to the Rams for their end of the trade.
