Could Los Angeles Rams Target Philadelphia Eagles Edge Rusher Haason Reddick Via Trade?
The Los Angeles Rams defense showed remarkable improvements, especially given how little-known so many of its contributors are. However, sustainability on defense is elusive, and in today’s passing league, lacking a potent pass rush and an imposing secondary is asking to be picked apart by opposing offenses.
Former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is off to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, which means the young Chris Shula has taken the reins. Giving him the playmakers he needs to find success must be prioritized by general manager Les Snead and the rest of the Los Angeles front office.
Edge rusher has been a fairly consistent selection for the Rams during mock draft season, for good reason. Names like Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu may fall to No. 19 and make for an enticing selection. But what if Los Angeles trades for a pass rusher?
Oct 8, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) celebrates after sacking Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the second half at SoFi Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Per Ian Rapoport, the Philadelphia Eagles have permitted veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick to seek a trade. He likely wants out so that he can get a more lucrative extension than the three-year, $45 million contract he’s currently playing on.
For one, the Rams are well-positioned to give Reddick the kind of deal he wants and deserves. They are already in a fairly healthy cap situation, and by the time Reddick is deep into his next contract, there’s a good chance the current stable of veterans is out the door.
Of course, trading for Reddick wouldn’t make much sense if he wouldn’t step in and immediately be Los Angeles’ best edge rusher. He’s more than that, though – he’s one of the most productive players at his position.
After starting his career largely as an off-ball linebacker, Reddick has found immense success as a pass rusher. He has logged 12.5, 11, 16, and 11 sacks in the last four seasons, respectively.
Per Pro Football Focus, Reddick was the 25th-ranked edge rusher with at least 540 snaps under his belt in 2023. He ranked 22nd in pass-rush grade and 35th of 59 qualifiers against the run. His 67 pressures ranked 15th at the position and his pass-rush win rate was 24th.
Reddick is a proven pass rusher who is entering his age-30 season but is yet to show signs of slowing down. Targeting a veteran may be the appropriate choice for the Rams, too, because of how long even first-round edge rushers can take to translate. Turner may be the better player long-term, but capitalizing on a Super Bowl window means sacrificing some longevity to push the chips in.
While estimating his cost is entirely guesswork, a second-round pick and some additional compensation feel like a decent starting point. If Los Angeles can keep its first-round selection, an assortment of offensive linemen and cornerbacks should be waiting at No. 19, offering Snead a balance of youthful and veteran contributors.
Given what a quality edge rusher can mean for a defense, Reddick’s profile, and the Rams’ current standing – both as 2024 competitors and as a sustainable winner – giving Philadelphia a call makes a lot of sense.
