Dominique Easley to Rams: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Dominique Easley is getting a fresh start with the Los Angeles Rams, as the former first-round pick agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Rand Getlin. Easley announced the move on Twitter on Wednesday:

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New team, new chapter of my NFL career!! #Rams #Hornsup

— Dominique Easley (@DominiqueEasley) May 18, 2016"

The 29th overall pick by the New England Patriots in 2014, Easley is still in the embryonic stages of his career. He's an athletic and versatile interior defensive lineman who is just 24 years old.

Schefter added Easley gives the Rams five first-round picks on the defensive line, joining Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Robert Quinn and Quinton Coples.

The Patriots made a surprising decision to release Easley in April. He ended each of his first two NFL seasons on injured reserve, playing just 11 games each in 2014 and 2015.

Injuries have been a problem for Easley going back to his college days at Florida. He tore the ACL in both of his knees from 2011-13 with the Gators, and his 2015 season ended in December as the result of a knee injury.

Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reported there were also problems behind the scenes with Easley and his maturity level:

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"Saw that coming," one of Easley's former Patriots teammates said upon hearing the news. "Injuries and locker room cancer." ...

Multiple league sources said Easley was unreliable and immature.

"He'll make an appointment for a massage and not show up," one source said. "He's just very disrespectful and irresponsible."

"I think he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way," another source said. "He comes across as an entitled kid. He reneges on everything. He thinks he's invincible."

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Yet even with the questions about Easley's character and locker room etiquette, Bryson Vesnaver of Pro Football Focus pointed out the talent on the field is hard to ignore:

The Patriots have always been quick to cut bait on players they don't believe are buying into their system. Easley made things easier by getting hurt each of his first two seasons, but his age and high level of performance when healthy do make him an intriguing gamble.

Interior defensive linemen who can create pressure and perform well against the run are hard to find. Easley has that ability and the talent to continue getting better at just 24 years old. This is a great chance with Los Angeles to reinvent his career.