The Los Angeles Rams have made some significant roster changes this offseason, but none likely bigger then when their front office cut both defensive end Chris Long and linebacker James Laurinaitis back in February. While The Rams were looking to create cap space by making those moves they also created some legitimate holes on their defense that need to be filled both through free agency and in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.
The Rams finished 11th in the league in terms of team sacks last season, and despite cutting Long, who has since signed with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles is looking to continue to create havoc for opposing offenses in 2016. The Rams already have one of the best defensive lineman in the game with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and have now just added former Jets and Dolphins defensive end Quinton Coples in hopes that he will find his form in Los Angeles.
The former first round pick is considered a bust by some, after an extremely disappointing season in 2015 in which he was released by the New York Jets and then released by the Dolphins following the season. Coples showed in his first three seasons in the league that he can be an effective pass rusher as he recorded over 4.5 sacks in each year until this past season.
Coples has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Rams that has a base value of $6.5 million with the potential to earn up to $9.75 million. The newly acquired Rams defensive end was unable to record a sack in 2015, but did amass four quarterback hits and 12 hurries in 292 snaps.
Coples is expected to find a much better fit in the Rams' 4-3 defense in 2016, as he struggled to find a role as an outside linebackers in the Jets' 3-4 defensive scheme. Coples isn't expected to start in Los Angeles' defense next season, but could provide a strong boost in a defensive end rotation that includes defensive ends Robert Quinn, and both William Hayes and Eugene Sims who have been re-signed this offseason.
The Rams finished in third place in the NFC West with a 7-9 record last season, and while Coples isn't the big name signing Rams fans were likely looking for, he could be another piece in building a solid foundation in Los Angeles.
