LA Rams: Dante Fowler is best fit for edge pass rusher

Despite salary cap limitations, the LA Rams have to find the money to sign Dante Fowler Jr. to a new deal

In March 2020, OLB Dante Fowler Jr. becomes an unrestricted free agent in the NFL. From that moment forward, He will be able to shop his skillset around the NFL. Hopefully, the LA Rams will find the money to sign him to a new multi-year contract.

Fowler was obtained from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 for a 2019 third and 2020 fifth round draft pick. Remember, he was the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Once on board the LA Rams, he signed a one year deal with LA in 2019 worth $12 million, according to spotrac.com.

In his career, Fowler has appeared in 63 games, 39 in Jacksonville and 24 in LA. He has collected 27 sacks and forced six fumbles. Most of all, he has 141 combined tackles for his career total.

More from Rams Draft

• 4 needs that Rams must address in 2023 NFL Draft
• LA Rams projected to be awarded 4 comp picks in 2023 NFL Draft
• 4 reasons why LA Rams trading back in 2023 NFL Draft seems likely
• Latest PFF mock draft exhausts rookie QBs before LA Rams pick
• LA Rams last game carries huge impact on their 2023 NFL Draft

Fowler had his best season in 2019, when he made 58 combined tackles with 16 being for losses yards. Fowler registered 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Rams were fourth in the NFL in sacks last season with 50. Aaron Donald and Fowler accounted for 24 of those 50 sacks. Why wouldn’t the Rams do what it takes to re-sign him?

The LA Rams hold an estimated salary cap space of $19.547 million for the 2020 season as of January 29, 2020 per Spotrac.com. The good news is they are carrying a paltry $387,593 in dead cap spending for players no longer in LA. The bad news remains that the team has some large contracts on the books.  Over 50 percent of the team’s 2020 salary cap is committed to the team’s top five contracts.

While Fowler is officially an outside linebacker, he fills an edge rusher role for the Rams. The current market value for edge rusher is projected between $12-17 million per year for the 2020 Free Agency market. Since he has played for multiple NFL teams, his agent is likely seeking  the highest bidder. If that is the case, the Rams will have to look towards making a move during the draft.

Anfernee Jennings, of Alabama, may be the target to move up in the second to grab. Physically, he and Fowler are very similar in height and weight, 6-feet-3 259 pounds. In 2019, Jennings had eight sacks with 83 total tackles. There’s a good chance that the Jennings will be available in either round two or three.

LA will have to wheel and deal to make cap space available for Fowler’s new deal. Which player(s) would be on the trading block? Let’s see how this plays out in the coming weeks.