Rams ‘19 FA preview: Ethan Westbrooks is a valuable backup...

Rams 2019 free agency preview: Ethan Westbrooks is a valuable backup

Cameron DaSilva6 hours ago

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Ethan Westbrooks has been with the Los Angeles Rams since 2014, starting 11 games between 2016 and ’17. He was exclusively a backup and role player last season and now hits free agency after a down year.

That being said, he provides value as a rotational defensive lineman with his position flexibility. The Rams have a decision to make with Westbrooks as his contract will expire next month.

2018 stats: 8 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 QB hits, 1 TFL
Pro Football Focus grade: 54.0 (unranked)
Analysis

Westbrooks didn’t put up big numbers last season after having a nice campaign in 2017. His production dropped in every department from 4.0 to 1.0 in sacks, 23 to eight in tackles and nine to two in quarterback hits. That’s partly because his playing time was essentially cut in half last season with Ndamukong Suh coming in as a free-agent addition.

Where Westbrooks brings value is with his versatility. He can essentially play every spot on the defensive line and although he’s undersized as a nose tackle, he made it work at times. His best position is at defensive end, which makes him an intriguing free agent for the Rams with Michael Brockers potentially being a cap casualty.

The Rams need depth up front with Ndamukong Suh hitting free agency and Brockers’ situation unsettled. Westbrooks probably isn’t someone you want starting 16 games, but if put in a bind, he can be a valuable contributor as a role player.

Positional need: Medium

Because of Westbrooks’ versatility, it’s difficult to pin him down to one position. His best spots are at defensive end and defensive tackle, which are currently occupied by Brockers and Aaron Donald. The latter isn’t going anywhere, but the former could be on his way out.

Regardless of what the Rams decide with Brockers, Westbrooks brings value as a backup. He can rotate in and provide help in the pass rush, as evidenced by his four sacks and nine quarterback hits as a role player in 2017.

At the very least, he’s an affordable depth option who the Rams have experience with. They know he fits in a 3-4 defense and Wade Phillips has coached him for two years now. That’s a big factor when it comes to deciding whether to re-sign Westbrooks.

Prediction: Signs one-year, $1.3 million deal with Rams

Westbrooks was making $1.5 million per year with the Rams, but after a down year in 2018, it’s reasonable to expect his salary to drop next season. For comparison, Johnathan Hankins made about $2.1 million with the Raiders last season and Westbrooks isn’t nearly the player that Hankins is. Essentially, it’s hard to see Westbrooks getting more than $2 million on the open market, which opens the door for a return to Los Angeles.

If the Rams can get him for about $1.3 million for one more year as they tweak the defensive line, it would be a wise move. He may not be a quality starter, but in the event that Suh and Brockers are both gone, he can be a rotational player up front.