Rams take DL Greg Gaines after fourth-round tradeClarence Dennis
STAFF WRITER
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The Rams have executed a third trade with the Patriots to acquire the No. 134 and No. 243 picks in exchange for the club’s No. 162 and No. 167 overall picks in the fifth round.
Los Angeles added defensive tackle Greg Gaines out of the University of Washington with the Pats’ late fourth-round pick.
Gaines tallied 9.5 sacks, 148 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, and one interception as a three-year starter at defensive tackle. He earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors and was named the conference’s top defensive lineman as a redshirt senior.
“It’s cool, you know I’m going back home? I grew up in L.A.,” Gaines said minutes after he received the phone call from general manager Les Snead. “It’s awesome, I’m super excited.”
Gaines is the first defensive lineman picked by the Rams in 2019 — a position group that could use a bit of depth, considering the departure of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and slate of young, relatively inexperienced players set to come off the bench in defensive end John Franklin-Myers and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.
The young defensive tackle said he feels most comfortable lining up across from guards on the defensive interior and looks forward to learning from one of the best in the business.
“I’ve watched [DT] Aaron Donald a lot and studied his technique. It’s going to be amazing to learn from him first hand. I think he’s going to really help me improve as a player,” Gaines said.
He will join former Washington teammate and No. 61 pick, safety Taylor Rapp in the Rams defense in 2019.
Rams remaining draft picks
Fifth round No. 169
Seventh round No. 243, No. 251
