NFL 2018: Ranking the 5 best offseason moves at defensive end

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 17: Robert Quinn #94 of the Miami Dolphins sacks Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. Robert Quinn (Miami Dolphins)

He was the 14th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and joined a defensive front that would eventually be laden with fellow first-round selections. Led by fellow end Chris Long and the interior combination of Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald, the Rams spent quite a few seasons terrorizing opposing quarterbacks on a regular basis.

A year ago, the team made the transition to the 3-4 defense under celebrated coordinator Wade Phillips. The results were a more-than-respectable 48 sacks. Quinn made the transition to outside linebacker in the scheme and finished with 8.5 QB traps. But it wasn’t necessarily an ideal fit for the seven-year pro.

Hence general manager Les Snead made the move and dealt Quinn to the Miami Dolphins earlier this year. It’s a team that opted to part ways with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (ironically, now a member of the Los Angeles Rams). But it’s a Dolphins’ front four that still features one of the premier sack artists in the league in five-time Pro Bowler Cameron Wake and also added veteran defensive tackle Akeem Spence up the middle.

The Dolphins’ defensive line could be a scary unit, especially if Quinn can stay on the field. From 2015-16, he missed a total of 15 games with the Rams and combined for only nine sacks. He comes off that year at linebacker in which he played 15 games and made 14 starts. And a return to his natural position will not only be a boost for the two-time Pro Bowler, but the Miami defense as well.

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