NFL Free Agents: St. Louis Rams Sign DE William Hayes To 1-Year Deal

The St. Louis Rams signed former Tennessee Titans defensive end William Hayes to a one-year contract on Friday, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Haynes joins a list of recent Rams free agent moves designed to shore up the team's depth chart.

Hayes shores up a defensive end rotation depleted by the release of veteran James Hall. St. Louis also lost depth guy C.J. Ah You when they opted not to tender the restricted free agent an offer. Ah You occupied the fourth defensive end spot on the depth chart under head coach Steve Spagnuolo.

Hayes, 27, is primarily a run stopper, which should help the team do a better job containing the outside of the field. Of course, adding some outside linebackers would also be an important step in that process. Hayes visited the Rams this week; here is our analysis of Hayes following reports of his visit earlier in the week.

Update: WalterFootball.com has Hayes' contract at $1 million for 1 year.