Former New England Patriots first-round draft pick Dominique Easley has found a new NFL home.
The Los Angeles Rams have signed the third-year defensive tackle to a one-year contract, NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported, via a source familiar with the deal.
Easley was released by the Patriots last month in a move that stunned many league observers.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports, the Patriots still owe Easley more than a million in guaranteed money this year.
Although Easley ended each of his first two NFL seasons on injured reserve after tearing both ACLs in college, he was New England's most disruptive pass rusher when healthy. Prior to last season, coach Bill Belichick lauded Easley an "explosive player that is very disruptive."
Pro Football Focus credited Easley with one quarterback pressure for every six pass-rushing attempts in 2015, a better rate than All Pros Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins.
The Patriots opted to cut their losses due to Easley's philosophical differences with the organization's injury program, CSN New England's Tom Curran reported at the time.
The Rams are getting an effective first-round talent with major durability and attitude concerns. The question is whether he will ready to open the season after tearing his quadriceps in December.
