6 takeaways from Rams adding Bobby Wagner in free agency

[theramswire.usatoday.com]
6 takeaways from Rams adding Bobby Wagner in free agency
Cameron DaSilva
April 1, 2022 11:08 am PT

Another star is coming to Los Angeles. The Rams are signing Bobby Wagner to a five-year deal, their second big splash of free agency; Allen Robinson was the first.

It’s a major addition to a defense that has needed help at inside linebacker for years, and it wasn’t a cheap one, either. The Rams are paying Wagner $50 million for five years, hoping he can keep their defense playing at a very high level.

Here are six takeaways from the signing, which will become official once Wagner arrives in Los Angeles.

1
Wagner will only help Ernest Jones
Some see the addition of Wagner as a hinderance to Jones’ development. While it could lead to slightly fewer snaps for Jones, having a future Hall of Famer to teach him on the field and in the film room will only benefit the young linebacker. Wagner is as smart as linebackers come and with this only being Jones’ second season, the mental aspect of his game is still improving.

Additionally, Wagner opens things up for Jones as a playmaker. With two capable linebackers, the Rams can now run more packages with both of them on the field; last season, they were nickel- and dime-heavy, typically with just one linebacker out there. Jones can now blitz more often, rush off the edge and play freer than he did when lining up next to Troy Reeder.

Jones was effective as a rusher, recording eight pressures on 29 pass-rush attempts. With Wagner in L.A., he can now do more of that.


2
Future Hall of Famers at all 3 levels of the defense
Jalen Ramsey said it himself: The Rams defense will be elite at all three levels. While there are still some questions about the pass rush and secondary, this is a defense with Super Bowl-caliber talent and Hall of Famers at every level.

Up front, Aaron Donald leads the defensive line. Behind him, the Rams now have Wagner patrolling the middle of the field. And in the secondary, Ramsey will lock down No. 1 receivers. Few teams have this many playmakers on defense from top to bottom, which makes the Rams contenders once again.

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