Memento showing some love for Rams Defense… Here’s Memento… Now, I understand that the offense is flying high...but I wanted to give a shoutout to the D with this all-encompassing thread, since we already have a "2026 Rams Offense Thread". Myles Garrett? Obviously a hell of a trade to get him. Agent Zero and Josaiah Stewart should be very happy with the Garrett deal, getting the easier one-on-ones, now that he's there. And you've got a lot of other young edge rushers. It'll be curious to see if Desjuan Johnson makes the team. I wonder if there's anything behind the scenes, because he's an awesome all-around player. And hey, we still have Wesley Bailey, whom I have high hopes for. Keir Thomas is still there, and I have to say that they must see something in him for him to stay this long on our team. Inside linebacker is stacked. There's no other way to put it. Huge fan of Nate Landman, and I really want to see Shaun Dolac starting for us; his coverage skills are rare for a linebacker. Omar Speights is still the starter, and he's a dominant run-stopper. Maybe he learns to be better in coverage? Grant Stuard and Tomon Fox look to be special teams players, but they could be pushed by Elias Neal, Nikhai Hill-Green, and Darryl Peterson III. The Conductor should also be happy with the Garrett trade. I doubt Fiske is, since his buddy, Verse went away. I have high hopes for him, but he has to stay away from the injury bug. And hey, maybe AD comes back for another run, at least, for this year? Poona Ford is rock-solid in the run game, and he'll be a key piece for us. Also, I have to give a massive shoutout to the younger D-line: I still like Ty Hamilton a lot, Ty Davis has been awesome as a run stopper, and Tim Keenan III is an intriguing nose tackle type himself. And then there's Payton Zdroik, who is a very interesting three-tech at Air Force. Very undersized, but super productive, and he killed it (and beat the O-linemen lined against him like rented mules) at the American Bowl and at his Pro Day. Bill Norton is huge (6'6", 336 lbs.), and Jaxson Moi, while not highly regarded as a collegian, was highly regarded in high school as a recruit. ...And I guess we have Larrell Murchison for at least another year. And then we have the secondary. Oh my goodness, the secondary has been the most improved position group on the entire roster. If Emmanuel Forbes is your third cornerback, you're doing very well for yourself. Still have very high hopes for Forbes, by the way; he may not be the most physical corner (even though he's improved markedly), but if you're talking coverage and ball skills, there's not many corners who are better. McDuffie is a versatile chess piece; you can line him up outside, in the slot, even as a safety or quasi-linebacker, he's excellent in coverage, great against the run, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL today, and easily the most versatile. Jaylen Watson is a great story: a former seventh-round pick out of Washington State, didn't play in 2019 because of academic reasons, and worked at a local Wendy's that was managed by his mom, while completing his coursework. He worked his way up the roster for the Chiefs and now he got rewarded with a huge contract. Here's hoping he lives up to it in a big way. As far as other corners go, Cam Lampkin's entering his third year (and is still super young; he won't turn twenty-five until the 31st of July), Alex Johnson is a toolsy corner who's been on multiple practice squads, Al'Zillion Hamilton, Nyzier Fourqurean, and Drey Norwood (especially Hamilton) are intriguing and have the potential to maybe make the roster or be solid enough to put on the practice squad. Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Josh Wallace, and Jaylen McCollough? That's a solid safety group - and you still have Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel, and Nick Andersen to consider. Well, that was a lot of word salad, but I had to get my thoughts on all of the defense. You're more than welcome to yours, though!https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244872#msg-1244872Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:48:53 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1245048#msg-1245048 I think you have to allow for our young CBs to continue to develophttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1245048#msg-1245048 RockRam RamsFootballFans.comThu, 02 Jul 2026 19:02:52 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1245034#msg-1245034 My enthusiasm is more temperedhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1245034#msg-1245034
I also lament the lack of coverage ability in the linebacker room. I would love to see Dolac ascend and improve that group. Fortunately, we have several safeties to play dime coverage who can tackle.

Now, if AD joins in... he chamges the math considerably. The Rams have potential for a truly dominant unit if that occurs.]]> Leoram RamsFootballFans.comThu, 02 Jul 2026 16:18:52 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1245027#msg-1245027 It's the position versatility that is going to make the D so difficult to deal withhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1245027#msg-1245027
So, the schemes are going to be pretty variable and can be disguised with quality players manning every spot.]]> RockRam RamsFootballFans.comThu, 02 Jul 2026 15:28:54 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244962#msg-1244962 He's on about the same time line as Jones washttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244962#msg-1244962 ScRAM RamsFootballFans.comWed, 01 Jul 2026 18:12:35 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244940#msg-1244940 big year for Speightshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244940#msg-1244940 LMU93 RamsFootballFans.comWed, 01 Jul 2026 13:29:09 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244935#msg-1244935 I think Shula’s defense will be limited only by his own creativity…https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244935#msg-1244935
So Shula has all offseason to plan and strategize.

If he pulls this off a HC opportunity may be in the offing. But if he doesn’t, then it’s a wasted opportunity, imo.

Assuming no catastrophic health issues, I think the sky is the limit on this defense. And Rams already had a stellar offense. Sooooo…]]> Rams_43 RamsFootballFans.comWed, 01 Jul 2026 12:15:33 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244910#msg-1244910 Re: Memento showing some love for Rams Defense…https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244910#msg-1244910
Quote
droopy
She's a little too optimistic. Ty Hamilton showed me nothing last year,

Yeah, I'm hoping he develops into a good run stuffer. He has massive arms and looks strong as a bull.]]> six2stack RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 21:46:01 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244909#msg-1244909 Re: IL stacked?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244909#msg-1244909
Quote
h2omelonhead
That's a bit of a stretch imo to say that IL is stacked, unless stacked means stacked with "ok" players?
Would you rather have Warner and Greenlaw as ILB or Landman and Speights/Dolac?

Or Dean/Walker
Or Edwards/Bush
Or Baun/Campbell

Many better ILBs out there.

I hear you. The ILB's are all undrafted FA's. They aren't the worst by any means, but I hope she didn't mean "Stacked" in a talented way.

Overall, She gave a good assessment of what the Rams have.]]> six2stack RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 21:43:15 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244906#msg-1244906 Re: Memento showing some love for Rams Defense…https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244906#msg-1244906 droopy RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 20:21:30 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244902#msg-1244902 IL stacked?https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244902#msg-1244902Would you rather have Warner and Greenlaw as ILB or Landman and Speights/Dolac?

Or Dean/Walker
Or Edwards/Bush
Or Baun/Campbell

Many better ILBs out there.]]> h2omelonhead RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 18:14:12 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244901#msg-1244901 Re: This guy knows the depth pieces - and is a real optimist!https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244901#msg-1244901
Quote
RantoulRam
Why is he or she not a regular poster on this board? There were names on that list I barely recognized.

And how about the ridiculous depth we have on DL?

Memento is a female and is very much into the NFL scene, particularly the Rams.

So I consider her opinions carefully and give them weight accordingly.]]> Rams_43 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 18:06:10 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244900#msg-1244900 This guy knows the depth pieces - and is a real optimist!https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244900#msg-1244900
And how about the ridiculous depth we have on DL?]]> RantoulRam RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 17:59:57 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244872#msg-1244872 Memento showing some love for Rams Defense…https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1244872,1244872#msg-1244872
Now, I understand that the offense is flying high...but I wanted to give a shoutout to the D with this all-encompassing thread, since we already have a "2026 Rams Offense Thread".

Myles Garrett? Obviously a hell of a trade to get him. Agent Zero and Josaiah Stewart should be very happy with the Garrett deal, getting the easier one-on-ones, now that he's there. And you've got a lot of other young edge rushers. It'll be curious to see if Desjuan Johnson makes the team. I wonder if there's anything behind the scenes, because he's an awesome all-around player. And hey, we still have Wesley Bailey, whom I have high hopes for. Keir Thomas is still there, and I have to say that they must see something in him for him to stay this long on our team.

Inside linebacker is stacked. There's no other way to put it. Huge fan of Nate Landman, and I really want to see Shaun Dolac starting for us; his coverage skills are rare for a linebacker. Omar Speights is still the starter, and he's a dominant run-stopper. Maybe he learns to be better in coverage? Grant Stuard and Tomon Fox look to be special teams players, but they could be pushed by Elias Neal, Nikhai Hill-Green, and Darryl Peterson III.

The Conductor should also be happy with the Garrett trade. I doubt Fiske is, since his buddy, Verse went away. I have high hopes for him, but he has to stay away from the injury bug. And hey, maybe AD comes back for another run, at least, for this year? Poona Ford is rock-solid in the run game, and he'll be a key piece for us.

Also, I have to give a massive shoutout to the younger D-line: I still like Ty Hamilton a lot, Ty Davis has been awesome as a run stopper, and Tim Keenan III is an intriguing nose tackle type himself. And then there's Payton Zdroik, who is a very interesting three-tech at Air Force. Very undersized, but super productive, and he killed it (and beat the O-linemen lined against him like rented mules) at the American Bowl and at his Pro Day.

Bill Norton is huge (6'6", 336 lbs.), and Jaxson Moi, while not highly regarded as a collegian, was highly regarded in high school as a recruit. ...And I guess we have Larrell Murchison for at least another year.

And then we have the secondary. Oh my goodness, the secondary has been the most improved position group on the entire roster. If Emmanuel Forbes is your third cornerback, you're doing very well for yourself. Still have very high hopes for Forbes, by the way; he may not be the most physical corner (even though he's improved markedly), but if you're talking coverage and ball skills, there's not many corners who are better.

McDuffie is a versatile chess piece; you can line him up outside, in the slot, even as a safety or quasi-linebacker, he's excellent in coverage, great against the run, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL today, and easily the most versatile.

Jaylen Watson is a great story: a former seventh-round pick out of Washington State, didn't play in 2019 because of academic reasons, and worked at a local Wendy's that was managed by his mom, while completing his coursework. He worked his way up the roster for the Chiefs and now he got rewarded with a huge contract. Here's hoping he lives up to it in a big way.

As far as other corners go, Cam Lampkin's entering his third year (and is still super young; he won't turn twenty-five until the 31st of July), Alex Johnson is a toolsy corner who's been on multiple practice squads, Al'Zillion Hamilton, Nyzier Fourqurean, and Drey Norwood (especially Hamilton) are intriguing and have the potential to maybe make the roster or be solid enough to put on the practice squad.

Quentin Lake, Kam Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Josh Wallace, and Jaylen McCollough? That's a solid safety group - and you still have Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel, and Nick Andersen to consider.

Well, that was a lot of word salad, but I had to get my thoughts on all of the defense. You're more than welcome to yours, though!]]> Rams_43 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 30 Jun 2026 10:01:08 -0400