Having productive and dynamic edge rushers in a 3-4 defense is crucial, especially when it comes to freeing up an interior defender like Aaron Donald. The Rams have been cycling through outside linebackers since 2017, and they have yet to land on a long-term plan at the position.
They put a Band-Aid on the situation by signing Leonard Floyd to a one-year, $10 million contract that’s fully guaranteed, but they don’t have a surefire starter on the other side.
Or do they?
Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley hinted at Samson Ebukam being the other starter opposite Floyd, returning to the role he held in 2018 when he started 14 games. Here’s what Staley said about the outside linebacker competition in camp, immediately pointing toward Ebukam after mentioning Floyd.
“Outside rusher, you really have Leonard Floyd – who we’re just really excited to have him – and he is going to be leading that group,” Staley said on a conference call this weekend. “Then Samson has played a lot of football here and played a lot of winning football here. He is a guy that I followed throughout his career as a young player to now. We are excited for him to be able to take a step forward and really get a chance to show what he can do.”
The Rams certainly don’t lack depth at outside linebacker, specifically young talent. Behind Floyd and Ebukam are unproven edge rushers such as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Terrell Lewis, Jachai Polite and a few others.
If Ebukam is going to be a starter as it sounds he will, the others will be fighting for snaps in sub-packages and as situational pass rushers. Staley didn’t leave them out, they just weren’t mentioned in the group with Floyd and Ebukam. But he did indicate that the competition at outside linebacker will be ongoing throughout the season, which is a good sign for these younger players.
“And then you’ve got really a bunch of young players that are looking to prove themselves in the NFL. I’m talking about ‘Obo,’ I am talking about Terrell Lewis, Natrez Patrick, Justin Lawler, all those guys, Jachai Polite,” Staley continued. “There is a group of young players that are looking to establish themselves in the NFL. So, a lot of competition at that position. (Outside linebackers coach) Chris Shula is one of the best coaches I know coaching them, so that process is going to be all the way up until the game and probably throughout the season. You will see a lot of competition at that position and just sorting through who is going to play what role and all that good stuff.”
The Rams don’t lack intriguing options at edge rusher, it’s just a matter of sorting through the competition and finding which players can emerge as playmakers.
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