Rams Linebacker Position Needs An Overhaul

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Los Angeles Rams Linebacker Position Needs An Overhaul

Despite having the number one defense in the league the Rams struggled at the linebacker position and need to upgrade fast.

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Rams Linebacker Position Needs An Overhaul

Despite having the top-ranked defense in the league, the Rams had a glaring weakness and that was the linebacker position. Yes, Leonard Floyd was an absolute dynamo recording 10.5 sacks and was the embodiment of a low-risk high reward investment, but beyond him, the linebacker group was patchwork at best. Samson Ebukam, Kenny Young, Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder, Terrell Lewis, and others came and went without their ever really being a solid unit. Floyd masked a lot of sins and unfortunately for the Rams, he will easily find a team that can move him TO A BIGGER HOUSE.

The Rams are also likely going to cut Kenny Young and maybe someone else in order to free up cap space. The good news is, they have enough draft capital and there will be a number of vets that unexpectedly find themselves looking for a new team. There are numerous options for the Rams and aside from the offensive line, linebacker is their biggest off-season priority.

The Rams aren’t all that cap liquid right now (take a drink) and thus are priced out of the cream of the crop at linebacker. That means unless they get someone DESPERATE for a ring they’re missing out on the likes of Bud Dupree, Von Miller, Melvin Ingram, etc. Their shopping list also needs to consider whether or not Terrell Lewis is going to be healthy or at least be trusted to be healthy. If he can, then they probably upgrade more at inside linebacker with say, Christian Kirksey or Avery Williamson. If they don’t, perhaps they focus more on the outside and target De’Vondre Campbell or Olivier Vernon.

Perhaps they split the difference and bet low on multiple guys with “prove it” deals. For instance, Takkarist McKinley who has a history with Raheem Morris in Atlanta, or someone like Eric Wilson could boost the pass rush.

Maybe they use their draft capital on the outside and buy low inside with Reuben Foster or Tahir Whitehead. There aren’t any sure-fire home runs in this group but Leonard Floyd wasn’t instantly looked at as one either. Having Aaron Donald is always a boost and any linebacker they sign will have every chance to succeed.

The Rams really need to take the linebacker position seriously this time. They say what happens when Donald has to compensate for a lack of production. They likely won’t have another Leonard Floyd next year but if they can build a cohesive unit they won’t have to. There are a lot of options out there that won’t break the bank and if Les Snead can hit on a guy or two in the draft that will make life a lot easier. It isn’t clear if they go linebacker with their first pick at 57 or if they go interior line first but they can’t afford to wait until day three to address that need.

 

[So Ram]

This article is about 85% BS!!! I’ll say that might be generous at that.

I believe The Rams have a young core of LBers.The focus will be on developing and adding through the draft.An Edge Rusher needs to be Top priority along with a game changer WR

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

This article is about 85% BS!!! I’ll say that might be generous at that.

I believe The Rams have a young core of LBers.The focus will be on developing and adding through the draft.An Edge Rusher needs to be Top priority along with a game changer WR

They have no middle linebacker with sideline to sideline speed, nor change of direction skills. They need upgrades or every team will do what the Niners and Packers did and beat the defense by playing horizontally

 

[TexasRam]

This article is about 85% BS!!! I’ll say that might be generous at that.

I believe The Rams have a young core of LBers.The focus will be on developing and adding through the draft.An Edge Rusher needs to be Top priority along with a game changer WR

So do the Rams have any weak spots? If so what positions?

I don’t know too many fans or analysis that think the Rams LBers are a Strength.

 

[André]

The point - that we have significant needs at linebacker - is a valid one. The actual article is kind of weak. Kenny Young cut? First I've heard that. Reduced role? Yes please. Cut? He doesn't make enough to cut him. Does not even mention Obo. And yes, he's not proven anything but an ability to get injured consistently, but he's going to be included in the mix. No mention of Hollins either.

Long story short: headline technically accurate. Story just rambling thoughts.

We need to re-sign or replace Floyd and we need a legit run-stuffer up the middle. End of story.

 

[FaulkSF]

Was thinking Fowler may head back after underwhelming in Atlanta, but his cap hit is way too high.

Nice Simpsons reference:

View: https://youtu.be/PMHt481HsFU

 

[AvengerRam]

Overstatements abound. An issue, but a manageable one.

 

[So Ram]

So do the Rams have any weak spots? If so what positions?

I don’t know too many fans or analysis that think the Rams LBers are a Strength.

I think The Rams need a Edge Rusher & with Floyd need to fill that void as well.You always try to upgrade.

WR- depth is always good.Woods & Kupp play hard.Jefferson was the added guy for Cook.It seemed The Rams were still missing a WR that could get deep & open things up a bit more.Watkins wasn’t that good,but still added that threat.Reynolds is gone & Cooks looks like he was missed in 2020 even though The Rams had those 4 wr’s. Stafford can Goff ? Not sure if just being able to manage the Pocket better is all it will take.
—Center because of Austin Blythe.Who is the NEXT RAM up? Is it Allen or Shelton.Some like to think it will be Austin Corbett?
—Havenstien & Brockers are weakness because of there Cap Space.They are both veteran players that would be missed,but there is depth behind them which makes them Expendable.

 

[dang]

ILB stud to line up with Kiser please. I think we have some OLB talent (Lewis, Obo, Hollins) and can add a cheap underperforming FA who wants a chance to resurrect their career.

 

[BonifayRam]

So do the Rams have any weak spots? If so what positions? I don’t know too many fans or analysis that think the Rams LBers are a Strength.

It's the OLB'ers where this defense is @ its weakest @ this time. Rams have lost 3 of their OSLB'ers to Free Agency 2 of which were starters. All three are UFA's. The Marget Value on Leonard Floyd alone is over $13 million a year. Believing Floyd will return is irrational.

OLB'er Unit
Currently, the two top OLB'ers remaining are Og Okoronkwo who is a 4 yr OLB'er former 5th rd pick. He has played in 20 NFL games with zero starts in the 10 gms he saw action he only totaled 12 tacks with only 1 sack. The other is Ultra versatile Justin Hollins who is actually listed as an ILB'er. Justin Hollins is in his 3rd season picked up on the WWC from Denver last season. Was a DC Staley type of LB'er. Not sure where Morris/Shula will play He might be 43 DE or OLB or ILB'er no telling at this point.

The only two other OLB'ers under contract come from the medically wrecks junkyard. Justin Lawler is entering his 4th season but has been hurt since the end of his rookie season in 2018 & has not seen a regular-season game since then, he had 6 tacks in 2018. Spent 2 full seasons on the IR. Lawler is more likely far more 43 DE than a 34 OLB'er. The other is Terrell Lewis who makes Justing Lawler shine when it comes to the medical area. Lewis is truly a medical wreck walking. Lewis was active for 8 gms he had 3 tacks 2 sacks. Tons of potential but has never been healthy very long throughout his college career or in his first NFL season.

Interior LB'ing unit
This unit is fat in numbers in comparison to the OLB'er unit. Plus they will get a boost with both of the Ram's planned starters for last season returning healthy to the starting lineup. Trevor Howard & Micah Kiser. The most experienced of the ILB'ers unit is Kenny Young who is in his 4th NFL season. He has started off & on since he was a rookie. He had 3 starts & played in 16 games his rookie season @ MLB'er for the Ravens. He came to the Rams in the trade with the Ravens for Marcus Peters. Young has played in all the Rams games since his arrival. Last season he started 16 gms @ the WS ILB post for the injured Howard. In 2020 he had 52 tacks 1 sack & 1 INT. I do not understand why members are thinking Rams will release their most experienced 4 yr ILB?? He is a low-cost always healthy dependable experienced LB'er.

Troy Reeder is also an ultra-low-cost always healthy dependable now an experienced ILB'er entering his 3rd season. ROD Members have been trying to cut this MLB'er before he arrived since his coverage skills are not like a DB. He started 6 gms in 2020 all he ended up doing was making 81 tackles & had 3 sacks!!! What would Reeder's stats be if he started 16 gms? If Reeder hits you.... you will go backward. Still, most of this forum wants him replaced.

Two good ILB'ers are being groomed they are MLB'er Christian Rozeboom & 2019 CFL All-Star WSILB Derrick Moncrief. Both rode the Practice team all season & Rozeboom beat out ROD forum favorite 3rd-day selection Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor, in Training Camp. The ILB unit has SIX signed healthy LB'ers contained in it.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I didn't have time to read the article but I'll put my two cents worth simply based on what I saw last year and the players we have signed.

I'm not too worried about our outside linebackers but you could always use another crazy stud there wrecking havoc.
Floyd worked well there last year but I do think that's mostly from the Donald/Brockers effect.
I could easily see other players stepping up and making those sacks even if they're spread out over 3 rotational guys.
I thought we looked pretty good stopping the outside run with those same OLBs.

Inside, you have to figure that a real thumper run-stopper who also had past coverage abilities would upgrade our defense even further.

If they pick an inside linebacker at number 57, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all.

 

[oldnotdead]

This article is about 85% BS!!! I’ll say that might be generous at that.

I believe The Rams have a young core of LBers.The focus will be on developing and adding through the draft.An Edge Rusher needs to be Top priority along with a game changer WR

Who is this author? Some idiot sitting in his basement yelling for his mom to get him another beer?

We don't even know what version of 3-4 Morris is going to run. Guess what? In most versions the ILBs are part time players. Everyone has been critical of Reeder ever since he took over the MIKE LB position. But he's outplayed Kiser and his UDFA status. Last season he had 81 combined tackles, 5 of which were TFL, 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, all on 41% of the snaps.

Why would the Rams cut Kenny Young? He only played 46% of the snaps and produced 52 combined tackles, 3 TFL, 2 QB and 2 PD.

The Rams have two good ILB prospects on the PS in Moncrief and Rozeboom.

OLB is the position of need as Floyd needs to be resigned and I anticipate Fox resigning as well. Fox clearly outplayed Brockers last year so if there is a LB on the bubble for cap clearance it's Brockers. Lewis has flashed but continues to be injury prone. Okoronkwo to this point has shown himself to be a backup level talent.

I think they will stand pat at WR (i.e. losing Reynolds is IMO no big loss). I think their interest in Ertz shows that in McVay's offense he can use a TE like Everett or Zack as that big Y receiver. A huge flaw in McVay's offense is he under-uses his talent at TE. I also feel they will draft / or otherwise sign a legit FB.

 

[Angry Ram]

The old school LB is getting outdated and you're seeing a shift to hybrid safety/LB types. More nickel packages.

Who are the top non pass rushing LBs? Lavonte David, Darious Leonard, Fred Warner? There's not very many.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I'd say the #1 reason our Defense rose to the top this season is Staley moved away from those smaller packages that Wade was stuck on. We have 2 ILBs on the field a lot his season..certainly a lot more than previous season, and that made our defense more stout. Kiser/Young/Reeder weren't world beaters. but they were solid for the majority of the season. That last injury Kiser had in Tampa cost us as we were playing at about our best level up to that point.

Wouldn't surprise me if Young leaves, we'll have to see if we bring back Travin Howard, who was actually supposed to start before he got hurt. But either way we need 4 ILBs, so drafting one is going to probably happen. I see some mocks have us taking Dylan Moses from Alabama...I like Zaven Collins from Tulsa myself..

as far as the edge... it all depends on whether we bring back Floyd...or let him leave and replace him with a more affordable free agent. Obo and Hollins are solid... Lewis showed great signs, but with those injuries, to me you can't count on him to be able to replace Floyd next year full time...so again...drafting an edge is likely, but I'd say signing one at a reasonable ticket if Floyd leaves is going to happen

 

[Noregar]

It's the OLB'ers where this defense is @ its weakest @ this time. Rams have lost 3 of their OSLB'ers to Free Agency 2 of which were starters. All three are UFA's. The Marget Value on Leonard Floyd alone is over $13 million a year. Believing Floyd will return is irrational.

OLB'er Unit
Currently, the two top OLB'ers remaining are Og Okoronkwo who is a 4 yr OLB'er former 5th rd pick. He has played in 20 NFL games with zero starts in the 10 gms he saw action he only totaled 12 tacks with only 1 sack. The other is Ultra versatile Justin Hollins who is actually listed as an ILB'er. Justin Hollins is in his 3rd season picked up on the WWC from Denver last season. Was a DC Staley type of LB'er. Not sure where Morris/Shula will play He might be 43 DE or OLB or ILB'er no telling at this point.

The only two other OLB'ers under contract come from the medically wrecks junkyard. Justin Lawler is entering his 4th season but has been hurt since the end of his rookie season in 2018 & has not seen a regular-season game since then, he had 6 tacks in 2018. Spent 2 full seasons on the IR. Lawler is more likely far more 43 DE than a 34 OLB'er. The other is Terrell Lewis who makes Justing Lawler shine when it comes to the medical area. Lewis is truly a medical wreck walking. Lewis was active for 8 gms he had 3 tacks 2 sacks. Tons of potential but has never been healthy very long throughout his college career or in his first NFL season.

Interior LB'ing unit
This unit is fat in numbers in comparison to the OLB'er unit. Plus they will get a boost with both of the Ram's planned starters for last season returning healthy to the starting lineup. Trevor Howard & Micah Kiser. The most experienced of the ILB'ers unit is Kenny Young who is in his 4th NFL season. He has started off & on since he was a rookie. He had 3 starts & played in 16 games his rookie season @ MLB'er for the Ravens. He came to the Rams in the trade with the Ravens for Marcus Peters. Young has played in all the Rams games since his arrival. Last season he started 16 gms @ the WS ILB post for the injured Howard. In 2020 he had 52 tacks 1 sack & 1 INT. I do not understand why members are thinking Rams will release their most experienced 4 yr ILB?? He is a low-cost always healthy dependable experienced LB'er.

Troy Reeder is also an ultra-low-cost always healthy dependable now an experienced ILB'er entering his 3rd season. ROD Members have been trying to cut this MLB'er before he arrived since his coverage skills are not like a DB. He started 6 gms in 2020 all he ended up doing was making 81 tackles & had 3 sacks!!! What would Reeder's stats be if he started 16 gms? If Reeder hits you.... you will go backward. Still, most of this forum wants him replaced.

Two good ILB'ers are being groomed they are MLB'er Christian Rozeboom & 2019 CFL All-Star WSILB Derrick Moncrief. Both rode the Practice team all season & Rozeboom beat out ROD forum favorite 3rd-day selection Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor, in Training Camp. The ILB unit has SIX signed healthy LB'ers contained in it.

Boni you are right on the money. A much better assessment than the original article.

 

[Karate61]

Summing it up here, the Rams defense ranked #1 with its current ILB core. Therefore, I don't see ILB as a glaring weakness that effects the overall defense as a unit. Would an upgrade be nice...sure, but I don't see it as top need for the 2021 Rams.

My top three Rams needs that should be addressed heading into 2021 are (not in any particular order):

Edge

Offensive Line (Center)

WR (Burner to stretch the field)

Go Rams!

 

[Rams43]

Summing it up here, the Rams defense ranked #1 with its current ILB core. Therefore, I don't see ILB as a glaring weakness that effects the overall defense as a unit. Would an upgrade be nice...sure, but I don't see it as top need for the 2021 Rams.

My top three Rams needs that should be addressed heading into 2021 are (not in any particular order):

Edge

Offensive Line (Center)

WR (Burner to stretch the field)

Go Rams!

We don’t yet know how Morris will want to utilize his ILB’s. So, they may be a higher priority than they would have been under Staley.

I see 2 Edge players as screaming needs.

I think C will be addressed via FA.

I see the WR need, but I see it being handled by a midround pick.

 

[OldSchool]

Blue font

Ae don’t need anything we have Stafford and McVay that’s all we need

Again that’s blue font which means sarcasm

 

[So Ram]

Who is this author? Some idiot sitting in his basement yelling for his mom to get him another beer?

We don't even know what version of 3-4 Morris is going to run. Guess what? In most versions the ILBs are part time players. Everyone has been critical of Reeder ever since he took over the MIKE LB position. But he's outplayed Kiser and his UDFA status. Last season he had 81 combined tackles, 5 of which were TFL, 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, all on 41% of the snaps.

Why would the Rams cut Kenny Young? He only played 46% of the snaps and produced 52 combined tackles, 3 TFL, 2 QB and 2 PD.

The Rams have two good ILB prospects on the PS in Moncrief and Rozeboom.

OLB is the position of need as Floyd needs to be resigned and I anticipate Fox resigning as well. Fox clearly outplayed Brockers last year so if there is a LB on the bubble for cap clearance it's Brockers. Lewis has flashed but continues to be injury prone. Okoronkwo to this point has shown himself to be a backup level talent.

I think they will stand pat at WR (i.e. losing Reynolds is IMO no big loss). I think their interest in Ertz shows that in McVay's offense he can use a TE like Everett or Zack as that big Y receiver. A huge flaw in McVay's offense is he under-uses his talent at TE. I also feel they will draft / or otherwise sign a legit FB.

Agree with you on both Reeder & K.Young.They were still trying to work together.Hollins is a Big guy as well that was playing early in the season.

Travin Howard will be back as well.

Ebukham is gone & was a solid Ram.Thought he was going to have a breakout season.He always flashes at times.
Dereck Rivers seemed to be on the field a lot last season.Staley,Shula,or Johnson trusted him.

M.Fox will be hard to keep ? He is A True JAP that plays hard & is an excellent group core guy.Straps on his helmet & plays.He helps push the next guy during practice.SJD has added speed & AD can be moved around. I like that.
T. Lewis I find it SAD that he doesn’t get the credit he deserves for try to get on the field.This guy is young & got some solid NFL experience.Played through pain & injury.The Rams had to shut him down,so he had time to heel his knee.Talk about Gurley.The Rams draft him #10.The thing about Gurley was he had a 5th year & The Rams paid him to early.My point is LEWIS will be healthy.I just wonder how good he real is as a OLB? To me he is a tweener DE in a 4-3,but yes a 3-4olb.He is slow off the ball.SHULA will have fun in OTA’s with this CAt.Still young,but to me he has never flashed that pure edge speed.lot of upside & a steal in 2020 draft.
A Speed Edge rusher is what The Rams need.A smaller Robert Quinn type that plays a little zone & can come off the edge ? Scouting,development, & rotations will be fun to see.

 

[BonifayRam]

We don’t yet know how Morris will want to utilize his ILB’s. So, they may be a higher priority than they would have been under Staley.

I see 2 Edge players as screaming needs.

I think C will be addressed via FA.

I see the WR need, but I see it being handled by a midround pick.

Morris does have a half dozen different types of ILB'ers so he does have diversity but not @ OLB. This is a BIG unknown but the current situation for the healthy upgrading in the pass-rushing element from the OLB'ers is HUGE!

The old school LB is getting outdated and you're seeing a shift to hybrid safety/LB types. More nickel packages.

Who are the top non pass rushing LBs? Lavonte David, Darious Leonard, Fred Warner? There are not very many.

I know of a young Ram safety who would seem to fit very nicely into your description of some sort of hybrid safety/Lb'er type ........Taylor Rapp! was made for this role! I still prefer having "the old school" MLB'er on the roster foaming @ the mouth to get close to hit something.