Athleticism isn’t everything in the NFL, but when it comes to rushing the passer, it’s one of the most important traits. Explosiveness, burst and quickness help edge rushers get off the line quickly, and if they can turn the corner around tackles efficiently, it greatly drives up their chances of getting to the quarterback.
The Rams may not boast much experience at outside linebacker, nor many proven playmakers, but they certainly don’t lack athleticism. Outside linebackers coach Chris Shula highlighted three players who are athletic and prepared for the 2020 season, and one of them could be a surprise contributor.
Samson Ebukam and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are two obvious picks to have an impact in 2020, but hearing Jachai Polite as someone Shula is excited to coach is certainly notable.
“Guys that are really coachable, want to do it exactly right, want to prove themselves (and) are really excited,” Shula said, via TheRams.com. “We’re athletic and prepared, with guys like Samson and Jachai and Obo. We’re really athletic, fast and smart, so I’m really excited to work with this group.”
None of those players are locks to start in 2020, but Leonard Floyd essentially is. After the Rams gave him $10 million guaranteed for one season, he’s all but guaranteed to play significant snaps in his first season in L.A.
Terrell Lewis is the wild card in the group because as a rookie, he’ll have a tougher transition this offseason. However, his athleticism popped off the screen at Alabama and his potential will be hard to keep down.
Shula got to know Lewis during the pre-draft process and is understandably happy to have him in the mix.
“He’s a really, really smart person and football player – it all makes sense to him,” Shula said. “He has a great memory, great recall of what he had in college. And then he was in a system in college where he was asked to do a lot of the same things that we’re asking him do to here, so I’m expecting the transition to be pretty simple.”
Training camp will be more important for the outside linebackers than just about any other position group on the Rams’ roster, and there’s plenty for the coaches to sort out before the season begins.