Rams sign free-agent defensive lineman Quinton Coples

The Rams continued stockpiling defensive linemen on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with free-agent Quinton Coples, a former first-round draft pick by the New York Jets.

The Rams recently re-signed ends William Hayes and Eugene Sims.

Coples, 25, played in college at North Carolina and was the 16^th overall pick in the 2012 draft. He played three-plus seasons for the Jets but was released last November.

The Miami Dolphins signed the 6-foot, 6-inch, 289-pound Coples but released the reserve in February to clear salary-cap space. He was reportedly due to earn $7.5 million.

Coples has 16½ career sacks.

The Rams have executed four transactions involving defensive linemen since the end of last season.

End Chris Long, released by the Rams in February, signed Tuesday with the New England Patriots.

Hayes and Sims re-signed with the Rams, and Coples now joins a line that also features ends Robert Quinn and Matt Longacre and tackles Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Louis Trinca-Pasat, Ethan Westbrooks and Doug Worthington.

Tackle Nick Fairley, who played last season for the Rams, is an unrestricted free agent.