The Los Angeles Rams moved fast since the start of the free agency period by re-signing defensive end Williams Hayes to a three-year deal worth a max of $21 million, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora.
Since joining the Rams via free agency four years ago, Hayes has been a consistently productive player as the primary backup defensive end recording 21.5 sacks while missing just two games over that span. He has provided much depth to the defensive line for Los Angeles by even stepping in the starting lineup much of the last two seasons while Chris dealt with nagging leg injuries.
Hayes put together a productive 2015 season recording 53 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. With the Rams deciding to part ways with Long last month, it now puts the 30-year-old in the position to line up as the starting left defensive end opposite of two-time Pro Bowler Robert Quinn.
Los Angeles has already lost out on two of their notable free agents on Wednesday in Janoris Jenkins, who signed with the New York Giants, and Rodney McLeod, who inked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the team was also able to re-sign converted safety to outside linebacker Mark Barron to a five-year, $45 million deal.
Source: NFL.com, Pro-football-reference.com
Bob Garcia IV is a sports journalist from Southern California. He is also the Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for Sportsoutwest.com, and About.com. He was a reporter for the award-winning newspaper, The Daily Sundial, at California State University, Northridge. You can follow him on Twitter, @Bgarcia90.
