LA Rams new DC Brandon Staley’s defense stumped McVay, so he hired him

Fowler value goes up in new defensive scheme

New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has worked with OLB Khalil Mack as well as OLB Von Miller. Hopefully, he will now get to work with Rams pending free agent OLB Dante Fowler Jr.  While we’ve highlighted the challenges facing the Rams to sign ILB Cory Littleton, perhaps the top free agent on the team’s priority list is, or should be, Dante Fowler Jr.

As we spit-balled in our Rams salary cap anatomy review, paying full market price on Fowler as a successful NFL edge rusher could literally empty the Rams pockets.  The market for a premier pass rusher is not an arbitrary number.  The value of positions in the NFL are typically set in this order: 1- franchise quarterback, 2 – anchor offensive left tackle, 3 – pass rusher, 4 – shutdown corner.   The Rams are in the process of, or have already, paid top dollar for each of the four categories.  Where can the Rams come up with so much to meet the market price? Well, most pass rushers are categorized as a defensive end.

Instead, the team can look at the challenge in another way.