Busy Rams deal DE Hayes to Dolphins

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:49 PM The Los Angeles Rams traded defensive end William Hayes to the Miami Dolphins late Thursday night -- the biggest among several moves the Rams made to free up salary-cap space.

The Rams announced they sent Hayes and a seventh-round pick to Miami in exchange for a sixth-round pick in April's draft.

The Rams also cut starting center Tim Barnes, starting tight end Lance Kendricks and backup defensive lineman Eugene Sims. The moves saved the Rams $15.6 million in cap space, money they needed after signing left tackle Andrew Whitworth ($36 million over three years) and wide receiver Robert Woods ($39 million over five years) earlier Thursday.

Hayes reportedly is due a $2 million roster bonus Saturday, when $1 million of his $3.5 million salary is scheduled to become guaranteed. The Dolphins will now cover that. Barnes was due $3 million and Kendricks $4.25 million in 2017.

Hayes, 31, had been part of one of the league's best defensive lines, tallying at least four sacks in each of the last five seasons.

With the Rams moving to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Hayes was deemed expendable.

"Will has been an integral member of our defense since he became a Ram in 2012," Rams general manager Les Snead said in a statement. "His passion set the tone for our defense and served as an example for his teammates. Off the field, he showed compassion as he was a major contributor to the St. Louis and Los Angeles communities, working to improve the plight of the homeless. We wish Will and his family the best of luck in all of his future endeavors."

In Miami, Hayes joins a stacked defensive line that includes Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake.