Rams camp preview: Who steps up at OLB opposite Leonard Floyd?

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Rams camp preview: Who steps up at OLB opposite Leonard Floyd?


Cameron DaSilva
July 23, 2021 5:01 am PT
Edge defenders are so important in the NFL, given the way they can impact the game against the run and as pass rushers. The Rams found a good one in Leonard Floyd, who they signed last offseason, but they lost Samson Ebukam in free agency and don’t have a clear-cut starter on the other side of Floyd.

Training camp will help sort things out, but there’s only one true lock at this position, with the other players jockeying for position before cuts happen. Here’s a preview of the outside linebackers, looking at who could start alongside Floyd this season.

Locks
Leonard Floyd
Floyd is just about as safe as anyone on the entire roster. He just signed a four-year deal worth $64 million, so the Rams certainly aren’t going to cut him. And considering how thin on talent they are at outside linebacker, there’s absolutely no reason he won’t be a starter.

He’s the best edge rusher on the team and established himself as a well-rounded defender last season with the Rams. Floyd will be a big part of the defense this year and should play the majority of the defensive snaps.


Likely to make it
Justin Hollins
Terrell Lewis
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
I’m not confident enough in any of these players to put them in the “locks” category. They all should make the team and will likely play key roles at outside linebacker, but none of them are certain to make the 53-man roster. Hollins has a good chance to start, as does Lewis if he can stay healthy.

Okoronkwo is likely to be more of a situational pass rusher, given his smaller size and lack of consistency against the run. Lewis has the potential to be a Floyd-type defender on the edge, but he must stay healthy and hold off the Rams’ other pass rushers.

On the bubble
Chris Garrett
Justin Lawler
Garrett is an undrafted rookie, while Lawler has stuck around since 2018 after being a seventh-round pick that year. Garrett has more upside, but Lawler knows the defense and is more experienced.

It could come down to the Rams keeping just one of these defenders and it might be whichever one plays better in camp and the preseason. In all likelihood, Garrett will spend a year on the practice squad, which could open the door for Lawler once again.

He has a steep learning curve coming from Division II, so he may not be ready for the NFL just yet.


Long shots
Max Roberts
John Daka
The Rams claimed Daka off waivers from the Jets this May, adding another pass rusher to the mix. Roberts was an undrafted rookie out of Boston College, but he has some potential.

Both players will need to really stand out in camp if they’re going to make the 53-man roster, but that still may not be enough because Lewis, Hollins and Okoronkwo are all likely to make the roster anyway.

If Los Angeles is afraid of Daka or Roberts being claimed off waivers, they could opt to keep one of them initially when final cuts are made.