Robert Quinn trade frees up cap space for Los Angels Rams and bolsters Miami Dolphins' pass rush

Jay Asser 20:10 03/03/2018
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  • Robert Quinn is switching coasts after being traded to the Miami Dolphins.

    Another premium defensive talent is on the move in the NFL’s offseason.

    The move for the reigning NFC West champions comes a little more than a week after they acquired cornerback Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs, which signaled their aggressive intent to get younger and gain salary cap flexibility.

    And that’s exactly what the trade of Quinn achieves as well.

    The 27-year-old will count for more than $25 million against the cap over the next two seasons and isn’t the same force he was when the Rams inked him to a four-year extension worth $57m in 2014.

    The signing of the extension was sandwiched between Quinn’s two Pro Bowl campaigns, when he racked up 19 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2013, followed by 10.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2014.

    His production, however, tailed off the next two years with his sacks dropping to 5 in 2015 and 4 in 2016 as he played just 17 games over that span due to injuries.

    This past season, Quinn remained relatively healthy to appear in 15 games and bounced back with 8.5 sacks while switching to outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.

    After being one of the Rams’ best players since being drafted 14th overall by the franchise in 2011, Quinn simply became too costly, especially in the context of defensive tackle Aaron Donald set to break the bank.

    So instead of losing Quinn for nothing by cutting him loose, Los Angeles pick up a mid-round pick they can potentially use to replenish their linebacking unit.

    While the Rams gain cap relief, Miami have put themselves in a position in which they’ll need to shed salary to make space for Quinn.

    The Dolphins just franchise-tagged wide receiver Jarvis Landry for $16m and already had Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh accounting for $9.6m and $26.1m, respectively, on the defensive line for the coming season.

    In all likelihood, Quinn’s arrival could spell the end for Suh in Miami, with the Dolphins able to save $17m in cap savings if they cut the defensive tackle by March 19.

    Landry’s future could also be affected if Miami decide to trade him by March 14 or rescind his franchise tag and let him hit free agency.

    Quinn figures to pair with fellow edge-rusher Wake to bolster what was an area of weakness for the Dolphins this past season. Miami ranked 26th in the league with 30 sacks, 10.5 of which were Wake’s.

    Though Quinn isn’t much of a factor against the running game, the Dolphins have some room for error after being middle-of-the-road in that area in 2017, ranking 14th with 110.5 rush yards allowed per game and 17th with 4.1 yards allowed per rush.

    The price of a fourth-rounder – with the swap of sixth-rounders being a wash – is minimal to add a talent like Quinn.

    Because of past decisions and contracts handed out, however, the move also brings with it some cap gymnastics.

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