Any shred of doubt that the 7-1 Rams are all in this season were erased Monday when the team announced they had acquired Von Miller from the Denver Broncos. In exchange, Los Angeles will be sending the Broncos 2nd and 3rd round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Denver will also be paying $9M of the remaining $9.7M salary Miller is owed for the remainder of the season.
The addition of one of the premier edge rushers in the game certainly helps the Rams out this year, but renders one of the emptiest draft cupboards in the league essentially barren. Heading into the 2022 NFL draft, the Rams now hold only their 5th round pick, and a pair of 7th rounders. But Sean McVay and Co. will happily pay that price if it means hoisting a Lombardi trophy on their home field this season.
Miller, who is currently nursing an ankle injury suffered in week 7 against Cleveland was reportedly close to playing this Sunday, but feels confident he’ll be ready to make his Rams debut against the Titans in week 9.
In Los Angeles, Miller joins Leonard Floyd, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey on a Rams team many expect to go on a deep playoff run. Miller is a 3x All Pro linebacker, 8x Pro Bowler and earned Super Bowl MVP honours in 2016. The former Butkus award winner spent the entirety of his 141 game NFL career in Denver after breaking into the league in 2011.
While the Broncos, and Denver community alike, will miss Miller’s presence, he ultimately became expendable as he entered the final year of his contract. The Broncos currently sit at 4-4 in the AFC West and have been plagued by inconsistency all season long. By acquiring multiple Day 2 draft picks, the Broncos are now well positioned for a “post-Miller” existence as it was unlikely the team would be able to come to terms with the impending free agent this offseason.
Miller will be turning 33 prior to next year, and while his camp will no doubt be looking for a lucrative new contract, his health, and dropping production across the board since 2018 are genuine concerns for any potential suitors. In LA, Miller will enjoy not being the focal point of opposing O-linemen that have to account for 3 time DPOY Aaron Donald who commands regular double teams.
The Rams are currently second in the league averaging 3.1 sacks per game, trailing only the Vikings who are playing at a 3.4 sacks/game clip. The addition of Miller will certainly help to increase this total as he adds yet another wrinkle for opposing teams to have to plan around.
Los Angeles is next in action against Tennessee in the Sunday nighter this weekend.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner