High draft picks come with high expectations. Which makes Dante Fowler Jr.’s tenure in Jacksonville something of a sports tragedy. The edge rusher is on the move, though, and may find a fresh start to be the perfect way to revive his career.
Fowler was taken with the third overall pick in 2015 after a highly successful college career at Florida. Still just 24, Fowler is now headed from one coast to the other after being acquired by the Los Angeles Rams for a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Comp update:!Rams are trading a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick to Jaguars for DE Dante Fowler, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2018
L.A.’s defensive line has no shortage of stars, with Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh on board. But the Rams apparently felt the need to improve the defense behind their dominant line. Fowler has played defensive end in the past but has more recently lined up mostly at outside linebacker. Either way, the edge rusher gives Los Angeles yet another option to use when trying to put pressure on the opposing quarterback.
Fowler is probably most known for being drafted so high only to tear ligaments in his knee and ruled out for what-would’ve-been his rookie year before lining up for his first professional snap.
In the three seasons since Dante Fowler Jr. has accounted for 14 sacks, five passes defended, three fumbles forced, four fumble recoveries, and 61 tackles with one defensive touchdown scored.
