RAMS TRADE PROPOSAL HAS LA LANDING ‘MUCH-NEEDED’ DL DEPTH
Fair or not, all pressure will be on the L.A. Rams’ defense in 2024 to figure out how to move past Aaron Donald’s retirement. Replacing one of the greatest defenders ever is an impossible task for the Rams and it’ll likely take a committee approach to replicate the effect Donald had. One writer might have a solution for how to boost LA’s depth along the D-line.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposed the Rams should send a fifth-rounder to the Jaguars in exchange for defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris:
“What the Rams don’t have is a veteran run-stuffer who is going to eat up blocks and force teams to run around him. That’s where a trade could help them as camp gets underway.
Roy Robertson-Harris has been a solid veteran for the Jaguars defensive line, but they acquired Arik Armstead and drafted Maason Smith this offseason. That could leave Robertson-Harris with a smaller role.
A trade would save the Jags $2.5 million against the 2024 cap and get them out of an $8.9 million cap hit for next season. Meanwhile, the Rams would get some much-needed interior depth.”
Despite playing in the shadow of Josh Hines-Allen, Robertson-Harris has been a reliable contributor for Jacksonville. The veteran has started every game since 2022 and has made the Jaguars’ defensive line stronger. This play against Bryce Young and the Panthers in Week 17 demonstrates the effect Robertson-Harris has whenever he’s on the field:
Robertson-Harris is far from being considered a sack master like AD as he’s had just 6.5 takedowns over the last two years. Mentioning him in the same breath as a future Hall of Famer wouldn’t be a fair comparison in the slightest. However, sacks don’t always tell the whole story, especially when Robertson-Harris can rack up the pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Aside from boosting depth, the nine-year pro could have a positive impact on second-year defender Kobie Turner and rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Even if LA were interested, there could be some contractual hurdles to navigate. Robertson-Harris signed a three-year, $21 million extension in February 2023, keeping him in Jacksonville through the 2026 campaign.
Unfortunately, the Rams have other pressing issues on defense to worry about following injuries to Derion Kendrick and Darious Williams. Adding another piece to the secondary must be LA’s top priority after a rough, injury-riddled start to training camp. If the Rams are looking for defensive line depth, giving the Jaguars a call could prove to be smart move, assuming the injury bug in Hollywood doesn’t get any worse (knock on wood).