Dante Fowler Jr. provided a boost for the Rams last season after he was acquired just before the trade deadline. He did enough to earn a one-year contract from Los Angeles for the 2019 season, a deal that will pay him up to $14 million.

He still has plenty to prove to the Rams, which is why both sides opted for a short-term deal. This season could be his best yet, having a full offseason to work with his new team rather than coming over mid-season. Todd Gurley expects big things from Fowler in 2019 after seeing what he’s done in training camp.

Speaking with Steve Smith on Thursday, Gurley was asked to pick his breakout player of the season for the Rams. He went with Fowler, paying the pass rusher a huge compliment.

“Dante Fowler. I know we signed him back on a one-year, we might need to go ahead and get him again,” Gurley said. “He’s been a new animal. He’s been getting to the ball as fast as Aaron Donald, so that tells you a lot about him.”

That’s some seriously high praise coming from Gurley, who gets to watch Fowler firsthand every day in practice. Fowler has been working hard on his pass-rush moves this offseason, staying after practice to get in reps with Rob Havenstein.

After practice ended for @RamsNFL veterans, OLB Dante Fowler and RT Rob Havenstein found some space to put in extra one-on-one work. pic.twitter.com/qt7eHUkXhC — J.B. Long (@JB_Long) July 29, 2019

He’s also improving his technique, staying tight around the edge to get to the quarterback more quickly.

Dante Fowler working stab/club on the hoop with coach at Training Camp. Finishes with the reach. The strip/sacks come off that finish by @dantefowler! #LARams via @rams pic.twitter.com/r3SNg2AMMi — DLineVids (@dlinevids1) July 30, 2019

A breakout year for the former No. 3 overall pick would be a welcome sight for the Rams after giving him a contract worth up to $14 million this offseason. They desperately need a complement to Aaron Donald off the edge, taking pressure off No. 99 on the interior.

If Fowler can be that guy, Les Snead, Sean McVay and Wade Phillips will be thrilled.