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Deadpool
There are a few options, and only a few TBH.
If this DC is anything like Fangio, then he likes smaller, athletic, mobile ILBers. So with that in mind...
Malik Harrison - OSU - a bigger ILB at 6'-2 5/8" 246, but I think he is just mobile enough to work for the Rams, he's a thumper and can drop back into coverage a little.
Patrick Queen - LSU - 6'-1" 227. More like Littleton, he can go sideline to sideline and cover to boot. I wish he was stronger.
Kenneth Murray - OU - 6'-2" 235 lbs - Physical, decent movement skills, but sometimes he looks like he's not processing things as quickly as the play is moving and gets lost in the play.
I think at least 1 if not 2 of these guys make it to 52.
Zack Baun - Wisc. - I think he is a edge rusher only. He is smart enough to play inside, but his pass rush skill set would be wasted inside.
Josh Uche - Mich. - at 6'-1" 240 lbs, I'm not sure he is going to be big enough to be a 3 down edge in a 34, but he can flat out get after the QB. I might be tempted to play him inside early and then outside on passing downs and turn him loose.
Either Queen or Murray would significantly upgrade our run defense. There would be some dropoff in coverage of course, as Littleton's that good in coverage. But those two guys have what I believe we need at ILB: aggressive run fillers who can also navigate some traffic and make stops. They are both excellent fits for where I think our new DC will want to take us and let's just say I hope you're right that one of them might be there when we're up. I would be very happy if we drafted either of those two.
Harrison I really like as a fit for us (the run fill ability is crucial for us IMO) but he's a guy who has to be schemed to rush or zone/drop in coverage on third down if he's on the field. He probably doesn't have the agility those other two have to man up a bit. I'm guessing he'll be there at 52 but not sure the Rams would go get him there. But he's the type of backer we haven't drafted in so long, just a big and physical type who will fill his run fits downhill and even if he doesn't make the play can stuff it up by stoning the blocker.
Baun... just doesn't wow me on his tape. Watching the other guys vs him I don't understand why he's so high on all the boards I see. He's solid, and if he plays ILB for some team he'll probably be a James Laurinaitis type (i.e. mediocre) so yeah I think you're right that he will play edge we'll see though.
I think what the Rams are targeting is going to relate back to FA too of course. They might go get a guy like Kwiatkoski or Correa or one of a couple other options which could affect their priorities there at 52. But I do think it's been far too long since we brought in some off ball linebacking value in the draft so would be very happy to see that change.
