The Rams are making wholesale changes at outside linebacker this offseason, releasing Clay Matthews and watching Dante Fowler Jr. sign with the Falcons. It continues what’s been an overhaul on defense, and will likely lead to the Rams leaning on a young player to rush the passer off the edge.
They did add Leonard Floyd on a one-year deal, but he’s hardly a prolific pass rusher. He’s more likely to replace Matthews as the strongside linebacker, doing most of his work against the run.
But who will replace Fowler as the right outside linebacker? The Rams have two internal options already on the roster, as well as a bunch of potential targets on Day 2 in the draft. With few quality edge rushers left on the free-agent market, they’re likely to either promote from within or draft a rookie.
Here are eight potential replacements for Fowler.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Okoronkwo finally has a path to a starting job and is healthy enough to seize it. He should get a chance to compete for the outside linebacker spot opposite Floyd, which will mean primarily rushing from the weakside against left tackles. That’s where Okoronkwo did most of his work in limited action last season.
He still needs to refine his pass-rush skills, but perhaps working with Brandon Staley – who’s worked with outside linebackers the last three years – will help Okoronkwo develop into a starter.