Rams edge rushers are terrorizing offensive tackles

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Rams edge rushers are terrorizing offensive tackles
Has LA found a partner in crime for Leonard Floyd?

By Christopher Daniel Oct 22, 2021, 11:00am CDT

NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams may have answered the question at edge rusher opposite of Leonard Floyd. Heading into camp, it appeared there would be a rotation of players to determine who would claim the starting job left vacant by Samson Ebukam. That stable included Justin Hollins, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Justin Lawler, Chris Garrett, and Terrell Lewis.

This offseason, Leonard Floyd was named the most overrated Rams player from PFN.

Floyd currently leads the Rams in sacks and his 25 pressures rank 9th in the league.

To underline how cool that is, Aaron Donald has led the Rams in sacks in every season since his second year. pic.twitter.com/cX7ETIJjat

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakDTR) October 20, 2021
Both Garrett and Lawler had moments in the preseason where they appeared to be ready to fight for the top spot or at least be valuable rotational pieces to open the campaign. Hollins, penciled in as the starter, was held out of preseason action in an effort to preserve him for the Chicago Bears and the rest of 2021. Okoronkwo landed on injured reserve due to a stinger, while Lewis missed most of the offseason with a nagging knee injury. Surprisingly, Lawler was waived and ended up on the practice squad, while Garrett found himself on the COVID-19 list.

Fast forward to Week 7 against the Detroit Lions and it seems like the Rams have made all of the right moves in their quest to find Floyd’s partner in crime off the edge. Hollins looked like he may be the long term solution prior to his pectoral injury, which may keep him out up to ten weeks.

.@AaronDonald97 bringin' the heat,@justinhollins_ finishin' it up!

First multi-sack game of 58's career‼️ pic.twitter.com/diB1GcTr0C

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 13, 2021
Through Week 3, Hollins generated four pressures, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Obo and Lewis wasted no time stepping up once he went down. The pair has combined for 21 pressures, four sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo forces the fumble on Daniel Jones. pic.twitter.com/PO5PDRD9OT

— Justin (@hobokenjustin) October 17, 2021
The question on both of those players, Lewis especially, has always been their durability. Knock on wood, but it seems as if they are finally healthy.

That speeeeed and length by Terrell Lewis?!!! QB’s beware! pic.twitter.com/rIK0Q6IJ6f

— RAMZILLA (@elitster) October 8, 2021
It’s beginning to look like a rotation on the other side of Floyd, who has 25 total pressures and 4.5 sacks, was the right direction all along. If the right outside linebacker, regardless of who is actually playing, continues their current pace, averaging a sack per game, the recipe for consistent heat is complete.

“We just wanted to make sure when Justin kind of got hurt, we didn’t want to have any drop off,” Lewis said while speaking to the media. “We felt challenged as a group. Me, Obo, and Flo (Floyd) just felt like we want to show we still have one of the best groups in the league.”

That spells trouble for opposing quarterbacks going forward. Having Aaron Donald eat up double and triple teams just seems to make everything make sense in the front seven.