Los Angeles Rams: William Hayes a bargain
The Los Angeles Rams released a player who had been a fixture in the locker room and on the field for several seasons in Chris Long, but it was a wise decision, since Long was aging and far too expensive to keep.
Why do I mention Long’s release? Because that sets up the argument of the importance of the Los Angeles Rams keeping defensive end William Hayes, who was highlighted by many as the most underrated impending free agent this offseason. Hayes hasn’t put up big sack totals in his career and was usually a backup behind Robert Quinn and Long, but those willing to peel back the curtain on the basic box score stats saw a consistently disruptive pass rusher.
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Hayes puts pressure on the quarterback at a high rate, and he led the Rams in “defensive hurries” last season, as per Sporting Charts. Look past the fact that he has just 7.0, 5.0, 4.0, and 5.5 sacks in each season during his four years with the Rams, and you’ll see that he’s a darn good player.
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He’s also going to be underpaid, despite the fact that other teams had a chance to negotiate with him during the legal tampering period. Deadlines drive deals, and that’s exactly what happened for both Hayes and Mark Barron, who emerged as two stars on the Rams excellent defense in 2015.
According to FOX Sports’s Mike Garafolo, Hayes re-signed with the Rams on a three-year deal worth a maximum of $21 million.
We can’t evaluate the deal fairly until more, fundamental details are released, but this already looks like a steal to me. The Rams were somehow able to keep a 30-year-old pass rusher with excellent durability and game-to-game consistency to a contract that might be less than $7 million per year.
That’s hard for a non-playoff team to do during the legal tampering period, but the Rams pulled it off. I thought Hayes would have been paid more by a team bullish on his pass rushing abilities, because he was an absolute beast last season when it came to putting pressure on the QB.
Pro Football Focus rated Hayes highly among defensive ends last season, and they always do a great job of highlighting players who do more than provide sacks. A strong run defender, Hayes is an unsung hero on a Rams defensive line that boasts Hall of Fame-type talent Aaron Donald and former first-round pick Michael Brockers on the inside. And oh yeah, that Quinn guy is usually pretty good, too.
Considering the fact that Mario Williams will earn $8 million per year after completely giving up on a team and putting some astoundingly mediocre tape on display, Hayes’s deal looks good. Williams played so well in 2014 that he’s almost a sure bounce-back candidate if he cares, but Hayes is younger, had a much better 2015 season, and doesn’t carry the same type of concerning baggage as the more touted defensive end.
At 30, Hayes isn’t exactly a young up-and-comer, but he is a valuable member of the Rams defense and was their best edge rusher in 2015. That point can’t be underestimated, and Long’s release made it imperative for the Rams to keep him. Even though they lost Janoris Jenkins, judging by how much he got paid, Les Snead can pat himself on the back for keeping Trumaine Johnson, Barron, and Hayes, with Hayes’s contract (Johnson was tagged, so he’s an exception) coming at a very reasonable rate.
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There’s always a market for pass rushers, so I am a little bit surprised Hayes wasn’t paid more. People who like to rudely comment “WHO?” when a non-superstar makes news will likely bash the Rams for this deal, but those who watched Hayes play last season will wonder why there wasn’t more interest.