According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Los Angeles Rams have traded linebacker Alec Ogletree and a 2019 seventh-round selection to the New York Giants for 2018 fourth-round and sixth-round picks.
Compensation update: Giants are trading their fourth-round pick and their sixth-round pick in return for LB Alec Ogletree and the Rams' 2019 seventh-round pick, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2018
Over the last few weeks, the Rams have been one of the busier teams in the league leading up to the start of the free agency period. The front office has already committed to a few moves that will greatly impact their defense with several key players being involved those transactions.
They acquired All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs, trade former Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins, and placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner. And now, they've moved Ogletree.
Ogletree became one of the mainstays of the Rams' defense over his first five years in the league, and he even inked a four-year, $42.7 million deal with the team back in October to put him under contract through the 2021 season. He has been one of their most dependable defensive players over his career, transitioning to an effective middle linebacker over the last two seasons following the departure of James Laurinaitis.
With that in mind, this move was likely solely made the due to the team's significant interest in bringing back both wide receiver Sammy Watkins and Trumaine Johnson, who are both on pace to become free agents next week. According to Over The Cap, this move has opened up an additional $5.2 million in cap space for the Rams while the Giants are taking on his full $10 million in salary and bonuses for the 2018 campaign.
#Rams will create $5.2M in cap room by trading Ogletree. #Giants take on $10M obligation for the year assuming no changes to the contract of course
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 7, 2018
The departure of Ogletree is a significant hit to the Rams' linebacker core that has already lost Quinn and has outside linebacker Connor Barwin set to hit the free agent market. It could be a point of emphasis from the team to address that part of the defense at some point in the offseason through free agency, the draft, or the trade market.
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