Rams 2020 breakout watchlist: LB Travin Howard...

Rams 2020 breakout watchlist: LB Travin Howard

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Rams need a player or two to emerge at inside linebacker this season after losing Cory Littleton in free agency. Micah Kiser seems like the frontrunner to be one of the starters at linebacker, but Travin Howard is another player to keep an eye on.

Howard is a former college safety-turned-linebacker with good speed and athleticism in the middle of the defense. He hasn’t yet emerged as a key player for the Rams after two seasons, but Year 3 will be his best opportunity yet.

Let’s take a look at why he could break out this season – and also why he might not.

NFL career thus far

Howard didn’t play at all as a rookie in 2018, in part because of an ankle injury. He finally got the call up last year but his playing time was still limited. Although he played 329 special teams snaps, he was only on the field with the defense 9% of the time – mostly in blowouts and a meaningless Week 17 game.

He finished 2019 with 22 tackles and three passes defensed, showing some potential down the stretch. He broke up a pass in each of the last three games he played, which was an encouraging way to head into the offseason.

Why he could break out

Howard is more like Littleton than Kiser is, which is good news. He has good range as a former safety and in coverage, he’s performed relatively well. Obviously, he still has to improve and become a more well-rounded linebacker if he’s to become a starter in 2020, but he’s on the right track.

Take a look at this play he made in Week 14 against the Seahawks on a throw down the seam to the tight end. Howard plays trail technique knowing he has help over the top, and although he doesn’t get his head turned around, he reads the receiver and gets his hands up at just the right moment to prevent a touchdown.

That was his first pass breakup of the season, but his second came a week later against the Cowboys. Once again, Howard (lined up on the far hash) is in man coverage against the tight end, Blake Jarwin.

It’s essentially a pick play for the outside receiver, but after he falls down, Dak Prescott looks at his tight end. Howard breaks on the ball and knocks it away to prevent the first down.

Those were two of Howard’s best plays of the season and show why the Rams have some confidence that he’ll be able to step up in a larger role in 2020.

Why he may not

Howard’s experience is limited, having played just 102 snaps on defense. Being a seventh-round pick entering his third year, too, he doesn’t exactly come with great draft pedigree.

As good as he looked on some plays in coverage, he also had some lapses. This play below was his worst rep of the season, letting the tight end get behind him on a wheel route. His make-up speed isn’t bad, but it wasn’t enough to break up the pass.

Another reason Howard may not break out is because of the competition he’s facing at linebacker. Kiser is his toughest challenger, but Kenny Young is a former starter for the Ravens and Troy Reeder also started for the Rams last season. Clay Johnston, a seventh-round pick this year, will be in the linebacker battle, too.

Howard will need to make up for his lack of experience with impact plays in practice and the preseason this summer. If not, he could be on the outside looking in when roster cuts are made.