The 49ers already had a tough path to the top of the NFC West. The Los Angeles Rams (7-1) and Arizona Cardinals (7-1) look to be among the league's best teams near the midpoint of the season. On Monday, the Rams got even stronger.
The Los Angeles Rams are finalizing a trade to acquire eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Von Miller from the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Rams are reportedly sending a second- and third-round 2022 draft pick in exchange for Miller. Los Angeles had already traded away its first-round pick of the 2022 draft to the Lions for Matthew Stafford.
Miller, 32, joins a Rams team that is already averaging 3.1 sacks per game — second in the league behind the Minnesota Vikings — and has a front seven that already includes Leonard Floyd and Aaron Donald.
Miller actually trails only Donald as ProFootballFocus’ highest-graded defensive lineman from the last 10 years.
The three-time All-Pro missed all of 2020 with an ankle injury but has shown to still be a productive force through seven games this season.
Miller has 4.5 sacks and 10 solo tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and nine QB hits.
However, Miller has not had a full sack since Week 3 when the Broncos played the Jets.
Yet, the addition of Miller gives the Rams more depth and flexibility as they aim for NFC supremacy. The 49ers will host Miller and the Rams in Week 10 after hosting the Cardinals on Sunday.
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Among the teams looking to keep pace with the Rams are also the 6-1 Dallas Cowboys, who will now face a Von Miller-less Broncos team in Week 9.
