The Los Angeles Rams have played at a higher level than many people predicted that they would be entering the season. At 3-4, they are right in the mix for a Wild Card spot in the NFC and could be surprise buyers ahead of the October 31st deadline.
If there was one area they could look to bolster before then, it should be their pass rush. The Rams have received solid grades from PFF for their pass-rushing efforts, ranking 9th with a 75.7 grade. But, it hasn’t always translated to production in raw numbers.
Los Angeles has only 12 sacks on the season, which is fourth least in the NFL through Week 7. This was an expected area of weakness for the Rams as they cleaned house on the defensive side of the ball, opting for a youth movement.
Right now, linebacker Byron Young leads the team with 3.0 sacks, while fellow linebacker Michael Hoecht and star defensive tackle Aaron Donald are tied for second with 2.5 apiece. Adding another veteran to the mix wouldn’t be the worst idea to help take the pass rush to another level.
Normally, pass rushers will cost a premium ahead of the deadline. Looking to continue rehabbing their salary cap and climb out of the hole the last few years of win-now moves have dug them into, the Rams options are limited to find improvements.
However, they seem to have set their sights on one player; Carl Lawson of the New York Jets. According to a source who spoke to NFL Analysis Network, Los Angeles is one of the franchises who have had conversations with New York about getting a deal done.
“I do know the Rams have had conversations with the Jets on a trade for Carl Lawson. Other teams are involved as well, but L.A. is one of them.”
It should come as no surprise that the Jets are getting calls on Lawson as he hasn’t been a big part of their rotation this season. He has played only 73 snaps on defense, which is 24 percent of their total defensive snaps.
The Jets have used first-round picks on edge rushers Jermaine Johnson II and Will McDonald IV the last two years, pushing Lawson down the depth chart. Bryce Huff has also been excellent at getting after the passer in limited snaps.
Lawson would be an ideal fit for the Rams, as he won’t break the bank in terms of cost. He also showed he had plenty left in the tank last season, registering 7.0 sacks after missing the 2021 campaign with an Achilles injury.
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