Rams Trade William Hayes to Dolphins for 2017 6th-Round Draft Pick

Alec NathanMar 9, 2017

The Los Angeles Rams announced on March 10 that they have traded defensive end William Hayes and a 2017 seventh-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2017 sixth-round pick.

"Will has been an integral member of our defense since he became a Ram in 2012," Rams general manager Les Snead said, per the team's official release. "His passion set the tone for our defense and served as an example for his teammates."

The move appears to have been motivated by financial considerations. According to USA Today's Tom Pelissero, Hayes is due a $2 million roster bonus Saturday, while $1 million of his 2017 salary is already guaranteed. However, ESPN.com's Field Yates reported on Monday that Hayes' contract has been reworked.

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Hayes was previously scheduled to earn a $2M roster bonus on March 11, plus a base salary of $3.5M in 2017 (with $1M guaranteed), as well as $5M in 2018 (non-guaranteed). Under his new deal, Hayes was immediately given $2M in the form of a signing bonus, with his base salary now being at $2.7M, fully guaranteed (he also has a $50,000 workout bonus for this year). That bring his total compensation to $4.75M, down from $5.5M. Additionally, the 2018 year in his contract has been deleted, making Hayes a free agent after this season.
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A 2008 fourth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, Hayes spent the last five years with the Rams.

During that stretch, he racked up 26.5 sacks, 201 total tackles and three forced fumbles. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Hayes is one of 25 players with at least 25 sacks and 150 tackles dating back to the start of the 2012 season.

Hayes will now join a Dolphins team that "pressured quarterbacks on 38.4 percent of their dropbacks, the fourth-best rate in the league" last season, according to Pro Football Focus' Michael Renner.

With Hayes, Cameron Wake and Andre Branch all in the fold and ready to get after the passer, Miami appears primed to improve on the 33 sacks it generated a season ago.