Los Angeles Rams: 2 Cincinnati Bengals worth trading for
By Jason Reed
1. Carlos Dunlap, DE
This would be a prototypical small-market team looking to move on from a veteran with a large salary and in the process, the Rams would get Carlos Dunlap for 75 cents on the dollar and figure out the hole that the team has without Dante Fowler Jr.
Dunlap is a two-time Pro Bowler that is no longer in his prime but is certainly productive and would be a great addition to the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line. Dunlap has still recorded a combined 17 sacks the last two seasons, and alongside Aaron Donald, that number could get even higher.
The reason for the Bengals trading Dunlap would be to get assets for the rebuild by trading an expensive veteran. Dunlap is under contract for the next two seasons with a salary of just under $11 million this season and $13.5 million next season.
This might seem unwise for the Los Angeles Rams, who are already battling with salary cap space, but if the team cannot sign any free agents and can only improve other areas of the team with the NFL Draft, then they would be able to afford Dunlap and stay under the cap.
Plus, with a potential out in Brandin Cooks’ contract after this season, Dunlap will not restrict the team next offseason from bringing in any outside help.
The price of Dunlap should not be extreme. The Rams could likely get the veteran for a fourth-round and a future seventh-round pick.