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theramswire.usatoday.com] Rams defense ranked No. 1 in NFL heading into 2022 season
Cameron DaSilva
May 27, 2022 11:53 am PT
The Rams didn’t have one of the best defenses in the NFL last season – at least not statistically. They ranked 15th in points allowed and 17th in yards allowed, struggling at times to slow down their opponents. But their defenders stepped up when it mattered most in the playoffs, allowing just 65 points in their four games during the postseason.
That has the Rams riding some momentum into the 2022 season, despite losing Von Miller, Darious Williams, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. In fact, FOX Sports’ Eric D. Williams sees the Rams defense as the best in the NFL.
He ranked them No. 1 overall in his top 10 heading into the 2022 season, ahead of the Bills, Bucs, 49ers and Broncos, who rounded out the top five.
McVay continues to lean into his philosophy of adding big-name personalities to his team. With the addition of Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner in free agency, the Rams have potential, future Hall of Famers at all three levels of their defense in cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Wagner as the defensive play-caller and Donald up front.
Los Angeles held opponents to 18.8 points a game during the playoffs and finished with a league-high 12 sacks in the postseason. The Rams must figure out how to replace Miller’s production. Justin Hollins is in line to replace Miller in the starting lineup, but expect defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to use more stunts and blitzes to help manufacture more pass rush.
Putting the Rams first might be a bit of a stretch, not knowing how this group will look without Miller and Williams. Justin Hollins and Terrell Lewis will need to step up at outside linebacker, while it’ll be up to David Long Jr. and Robert Rochell to take Williams’ place at cornerback alongside Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill.
The Rams did add Bobby Wagner and they still have Aaron Donald up front, so they have stars at every level, but it’s the role players who will need to keep improving.
