The opening day defense in 2022 (counting nickle CB as a 12th starter).
ILB: Bobby Wagner, Ernest Jones
OLB: Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins
CB: Jalen Ramsey, David Long Jr., Troy Hill
S: Taylor Rapp, Nick Scott
DL: A'Shawn Robinson, Aaron Donald, Greg Gaines
Only Jones and Donald are still with the team. Long, Hill, Rapp, Scott, Robinson, and Gaines are still FAs (although Scott seems to be gone).
Potential ILBs already on the roster: Christian Rozeboom, Travin Howard, Jake Hummel.
Hollins already lost his starting gig (as did Terrell Lewis) last season. Michael Hoecht started opposite Floyd by seasons end. Candidates for the other OLB spot already on the roster: Daniel Hardy and Kier Thomas.
Long was phased out in favor of Cobie Durant by the end of the year. Long and Hill remain FAs and could potentially return to the team. Other CBs already on the roster: Robert Rochell, Shaun Jolly, and Derion Kendrick.
Assuming Rapp and Scott leave via FA the Rams current safety room looks like this: Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, Quentin Lake, and Richard LeCounte III.
Robinson and Gaines remain FAs. Even if neither return Jonah Williams, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, Zach VanValkenburg, and Larrell Murchison are on the roster.
Potential starting D (before the draft and with free agency still in progress)
ILB: Jones, Rozeboom/Howard/Hummel
OLB: Hoecht, Hardy/Thomas
CB: Durant, and pick two: Rochell, Jolly, Kendrick
S: Fuller, Yeast
DL: Donald, Williams, Brown III
There are weak spots for sure. If they are addressed properly the defense could be 'OK' in 2023.
Priorities seem to be:
CB (or 2?) <== would resigning Hill or Long help?
Edge
DL <== resigning Gaines would be nice!
AlbaNY_Ram
