Analysis: Previewing the position battle at outside linebackerAug 12, 2020 at 03:00 PM
Stu Jackson
Staff Writer
Much like their counterparts in the middle, the outside linebackers in the Rams defense are going through a transition of their own.
Last year's starters Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews are gone, vacating not only starting roles but a significant number of snaps for position coach Chris Shula to allocate entering his second season overseeing the group. Further impacting the position battle for those roles is players being asked to do different things compared to last year as a result of new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's scheme, according to Shula.
Fortunately for Shula, he has an "eager" group of young players to ready prove themselves and embrace the competition. Here's a look at the candidates on Los Angeles' current roster, listed in alphabetical order:
Samson EbukamExperience: Three seasons.
Notes: Entering his fourth year in the NFL, Ebukam has been a durable and dependable member of the outside linebacker rotation. He has yet to miss a regular season game and started in 21 of those 48 games played through his first three seasons. Last year, the Eastern Washington product posted 48 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and four pass breakups – all career-highs – while playing in all 16 games (five starts). Ebukam's best game statistically came against the Seahawks in Week 14, when he made four solo tackles and two sacks – both season-highs – in the Rams' 28-12 victory. Of course, no one can forget the memorable performance he had against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football in 2018, either.
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