Rams acquire edge rusher from Jaguars for draft choices
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams, unbeaten and eager to make a move that would provide them with an edge for a Super Bowl run, addressed their most pressing need Tuesday before the NFL’s 1 p.m. PDT trade deadline.
They acquired edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. in a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In a corresponding move, the Rams waived offensive lineman Jamon Brown.
Fowler is scheduled to join the Rams on Wednesday and could play Sunday against the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints in New Orleans.
The Rams have been the story of the NFL, with a highscoring offense that features two most-valuable-player candidates — quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley — a defense that includes star tackle Aaron Donald and special teams that have made game-turning plays.
But bolstering the pass rush from the outside linebacker position in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme has been a priority since training camp.
The Rams have 22 sacks, 10 by Donald, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year. Outside linebacker Samson Ebukam has two sacks and outside linebacker Matt Longacre doesn’t have any.
Coach Sean McVay said Monday that the Rams were actively seeking pass-rushing help.
Whether Fowler can provide it remains to be seen.
Fowler, 24, was the third overall pick in the 2015 draft but was sidelined his first season because of a knee injury. He had four sacks in 2016, and a career-best eight in 2017, with two more in the AFC title game against the New England Patriots.
But the Jaguars declined to exercise their fifth-year option. Fowler has two sacks this season, the final one of his rookie contract.
In the trade with the Jaguars, the Rams gave up a 2019 third-round draft pick and 2020 fifth-round pick to add Fowler to a front that includes Donald, Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers.
The Rams in February are expected to receive compensatory draft picks for the freeagent departures of former cornerback Trumaine Johnson and former receiver Sammy Watkins. If the Rams receive a third-round compensation pick, that will go to the Jaguars in lieu of the Rams’ original third-round pick. If the Rams receive multiple third-round compensatory picks, the Jaguars will receive the pick closest to the beginning of the round.
Demaryius Thomas sent to Houston Texans
Demaryius Thomas’ nineyear career with the Broncos ended Tuesday when he was traded to the Houston Texans along with a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a fourth and seventh-round pick in the 2019 draft. Broncos general manager John Elway informed Thomas of the decision Tuesday morning.
The Texans (5-3) play at the Broncos (3-5) on Sunday.
“Demaryius had an incredible run here and we can’t thank him enough for everything he’s meant to the Broncos,” Elway said in a statement. “He developed into an elite player over the years, establishing himself as one NFL’s most productive, consistent and reliable wide receivers...Although it’s tough to end this chapter, we’re excited about the talent we have at the wide receiver position and wish Demaryius all the best with the Texans.”
During a conference call with Denver-area reporters Tuesday morning, Texans coach Bill O’Brien expressed his respect for Thomas.
“I’ve been watching him for a long time, since he was at Georgia Tech and since he’s been in the NFL,” O’Brien said. “Excellent athletic skills. Great hands. Really good route runner. Very smooth route runner. He’s a tough guy to defend.”
The Texans were looking for receiver help after Will Fuller sustained a season-ending torn ACL in last week’s win over Miami.
The subject of much trade speculation over the last nine days, Thomas became semi-resigned to being moved following Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. That defeat, which dropped the Broncos to 3-5, likely served as a final go-ahead for Elway to move Thomas, giving Denver an extra draft pick and allowing rookie Courtland Sutton to play more.
Thomas, 30, finishes his Broncos career as a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time secondteam All Pro selection and one-time Super Bowl champion. He was the longesttenured Broncos player on the roster last week (125 regular season games).
Eagles trade for Lions wide receiver Golden Tate
The Philadelphia Eagles acquired wide receiver Golden Tate from the Detroit Lions on Tuesday for a 2019 third-round draft pick, making a splash before Tuesday’s trade deadline and bolstering their offense.
Tate, 30, has 44 catches for 517 yards and three touchdowns this season. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler who is in the final year of his contract. He’s averaged 93 catches for 1,056 yards and four touchdowns during the past four seasons with the Lions and has not missed a game during that span. He’ll join Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor as the Eagles’ top wide receivers. They also have Jordan Matthews and might get Mike Wallace and/or Mack Hollins back from injured reserve.
Even if Tate leaves in free agency, the Eagles could likely expect a valuable compensatory pick in 2020 because he’ll be one of the top free agents. But at least for this season, Tate upgrades the offense with a proven wide receiver and shows that the Eagles are serious about trying to repeat as Super Bowl champion.
Ravens trade for RB Montgomery, send Packers pick
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday acquired Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery in the franchise’s first NFL trade deadline deal, a low-cost move that could bolster the team’s lagging running back production.
The Ravens sent the Packers a 2020 seventh-round pick for Montgomery, according to ESPN.
Montgomery’s fumble after running a fourth-quarter kickoff out of the end zone Sunday cost quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers against the Los Angeles Rams, who ran out the final 1 minutes, 56 seconds in a 29-27 win. One Green Bay player told NFL.com that Montgomery’s decision to not take a knee in the end zone “was him saying, ‘I’m gonna do me,’ “after being unhappy over his removal from the offense’s previous series.
Montgomery ranked third on the team in rushing attempts (26), fourth in rushing yards (105), fifth in receptions (15) and sixth in receiving yards (170). He averaged 24 snaps per game on offense until Sunday’s loss, when he got just six.