New Rams DC Chris Shula is excited to use Kobie Turner all over the defensive front, which will “keep people guessing”
When Aaron Donald was on the field, the Los Angeles Rams knew there was a very good chance he’d be double-teamed by the opposing offense. They’ll no longer have that luxury moving forward after Donald retired from football this offseason, but the Rams have someone else who will help fill the void left by No. 99: Kobie Turner.
While he may not get doubled as much as Donald, Turner is going to command a lot of attention along the defensive front. To counter that, the Rams plan to move him around the line in order to keep the opponent guessing.
“He’s going to be a guy who’s on the field a ton,” Chris Shula told FOX Sports. “We love to have the flexibility to move those guys around, depending on the personnel group that’s in the game. We’re lucky, because he can play multiple spots pretty easily, whether it’s physically or mentally.
“We can keep people guessing where we can kind of move him around. And the nice thing about Kobie is he’s so selfless, he’s always going to do what’s best for the team. So it will be fun to use that chess piece accordingly.”
Turner played both nose tackle and 3-technique last season, but 435 of his 695 snaps were over the B-gap as a defensive tackle, with 198 snaps coming as a nose tackle over the A-gap. With Donald gone, it’s reasonable to think Turner will play more 3-tech, but that’s also a position rookie Braden Fiske plays.
Turner’s ability to line up anywhere up front will give Shula a lot of options in his first year as a defensive coordinator, but he’s aware of the challenges that come with Donald being gone – like trying to diagnose how teams will set their protections against L.A.
“Obviously, we’re going to have to step up as a group,” Shula said. “We made a big point to Kobie Turner that we don’t expect him to be an Aaron Donald, because he really is one of one. We knew when he was in the game how offenses were going to protect against us. Now, it’s a little bit more of a guessing game.”
Can the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line actually be better in 2024 without Aaron Donald? Les Snead has prepared the team for minimal dropoff.
Remember when the Oakland A’s lost Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, and Jason Isringhausen in free agency, and general manager Billy Beane had to replace them in the aggregate? Beane’s successful path led to Moneyball, and now, Rams general manager Les Snead and his crew are having a bit of the same issue.
When Aaron Donald retires, you do not replace him with one human being, because Aaron Donald is not a human being — he is an alien from the planet Destructo. The Rams don’t have Beane’s financial limitations; it’s simply a matter of fact that you don’t ever get an Aaron Donald unless you’re exceedingly fortunate, and when you don’t have an Aaron Donald anymore, you have to replace him in the aggregate.
So in this draft, the Rams set out to do exactly that. They started out by selecting Florida State edge-rusher Jared Verse with their first first-round pick since 2016. Then, in the second round, they took Verse’s teammate, defensive lineman (and combine star) Braden Fiske. Then, with the 154th overall pick in the fifth round, they took Washington State edge-rusher Brennan Jackson, and rounded it all out with Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis, taken with the 196th overall pick in the sixth round.
“Yeah, I mean I think when you look at it, to be able to get two guys on the edge, two guys inside that we feel like can affect the game in a positive way, that was something that we had identified,” head coach Sean McVay said after the draft came down. “Obviously Aaron creates a big void. You’re never going to ask somebody to replace that void he created, but you can do that by the unit. So to be able to get Jared, to be able to get Brennan on the edges. The way that they play the game. Then to be able to add Braden and Tyler, we were really excited about that.”
Well, it’s easy to see why. These four players work well on their own, and have the potential to really ace it playing together.
Fiske and Verse already have a serious chemistry, as they showed throughout the 2023 season — especially against Louisville, when they were either stunting or collapsing the pocket together, and nobody had a solid idea of how to stop them from doing it.
“Yeah, if you’re ever bored go start to finish Florida State at Louisville, whatever ACC Championship game,” general manager Les Snead said. “Obviously, Florida State didn’t have a quarterback. They may have been down to their third and it was just pure defense to win the ACC Championship, get their ring, get their trophy because it could have easily gone the other way. It would’ve been a season for naught had they lost it. So, if you’re ever bored, watch those two players in that game. You’ll come back and do a rerun.”
“I think it was interesting because this was Braden’s first year at Florida State so it did take probably, let’s call it first four or five weeks for them to get in tandem, in sync,” Snead said of the on-field link between Verse and Fiske after Fiske transferred from Western Michigan. “And I know even Florida State adjusted a little bit their defensive scheme or what they allowed Braden to do and attack the line of scrimmage, attack some edges. What’s interesting as you watched that team evolve over the course of season and become… when they finished that night in Louisville, one of the really dominant defenses. But you saw that group get in tandem. That was a good defensive line.
“But those two doing their thing, again, with Florida State and allowing them and designing those stunts, twists, whatever we call them. It’s fun to watch.”
As for Brennan Jackson, the Washington State alum had nine sacks and 40 total pressures last season, and while he needs to refine his handwork as most collegiate defensive lineman do, he already brings an inside counter, a formidable bull-rush, and a snatch-and-shed move than can be lethal.
Washington State edge-rusher Brennan Jackson, who the Rams somehow got in the fifth round. Eight sacks and 40 pressures in 2023, and he already brings a bull-rush, an inside counter, and a snatch-and-shed move to the table. Get his hands more involved, and he could be a DUDE. pic.twitter.com/o0kxSi6948
Finally, there’s Tyler Davis, the 6-foot-2, 301-pound fire hydrant who amassed two sacks and 22 total pressures in just 277 pass-rushing reps last season, and did it everywhere from head-over nose tackle to the edge.
The @RamsNFL's most interesting defensive sleeper pick might be DL Tyler Davis from Clemson. Attacked everywhere from head-over nose to edge at 6-foot-2 and 301 pounds. Usually from the edge, he was demolishing some poor offensive guard on the way to the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/JCv7sZof52
And when you add these four gentlemen to last year’s draft picks Byron Young (who had eight sacks and 51 total pressures last season) and Kobie Turner (who was my choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year with his 12 sacks and 50 total pressures), new defensive coordinator Chris Shula has a lot of options in his rotations.
So yes, the Rams’ defensive line has the potential for overall improvement even without the greatest defensive player of his generation. Not a bad outcome, really.
Kobie Turner is only entering his second season, but he’s already showing he’s a leader by offering to help Jared Verse with anything he needs
With Aaron Donald retired, there’s not only a void on the Rams’ defensive line, but also in the locker room. Los Angeles could use a new leadership presence in the D-line room and there doesn’t seem to be any question about who will step up.
Kobie Turner is only entering his second season in the NFL but he’s already showing leadership qualities of a five-year veteran. After the Rams selected Jared Verse at No. 19 overall in the first round on Thursday night, the first player to reach out to him was Turner.
He offered to help Verse in any way he can, which the rookie says he’s going to take Turner up on.
“He’s gonna regret that,” Verse said.
Kobie Turner was the first Ram teammate to reach out and offer any help Jared Verse needs: "He's gonna regret that"
The Rams obviously try to find the best football players they can in the draft each year, but they’re also big on character and culture. Turner absolutely checks both of those boxes, and it seems Verse is cut from the right cloth, too.
With a young nucleus of Verse, Turner and Byron Young, the Rams are in excellent shape along the defensive line for years to come.
Defensive tackle is viewed as a position of need for the Rams, but they may not take one early like many people think they will
After Aaron Donald announced his retirement from the NFL, the immediate question was “how will the Rams replace him?” They haven’t signed anyone in free agency, which points to them drafting a defensive tackle early to fill the massive void left by No. 99.
No single player can take the place of the future Hall of Famer, but it’s possible the Rams already have his successor on the roster. That player is Kobie Turner, who should’ve won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
When you think about it, the Rams actually drafted Donald’s replacement a year ago when they selected Turner 89th overall out of Wake Forest. He’s the primary reason Los Angeles may not draft a defensive tackle such as Byron Murphy II or Johnny Newton as early as many people think they will.
Though Turner played a bunch of snaps at nose tackle last season alongside Donald, he’s a much better fit at 3-technique, the position Donald played throughout his career. He’s 6-foot-2 and 288 pounds, which is only 1 inch taller and 8 pounds heavier than Donald’s listed weight. Nose tackles in a 3-4 scheme are typically much bigger – like Bobby Brown III, who’s 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds. That’s a run-stuffing nose tackle. Turner is a pass-rushing 3-technique.
In the Rams’ case, they need a nose tackle more than they need a 3-technique to replace Donald. Turner can be that player to fill Donald’s void, already showing impressive pass-rushing skills with nine sacks last season to tie the Rams rookie record, which was set by Donald in 2014.
Not to mention, the Rams probably knew Donald was only going to play two more years when he signed his new contract in 2022. VP of football operations Tony Pastoors told The Athletic that when Donald signed his deal in 2022, he “looked me in the face and said, ‘I’m playing two years.’” The structure of Donald’s contract, which came with an option in 2024, suggests the Rams had a strong feeling he’d retire after the 2023 season, too.
As a result, they knew they’d need to find Donald’s replacement sooner rather than later, which is why they drafted Turner when they did. They viewed him as Donald’s heir, not some rookie in the 2024 class.
Murphy and Newton are both fantastic players and would help the Rams right away, but it’s very possible the front office and coaching staff view Turner as their replacement for Donald. In that case, Los Angeles would be better suited to draft a 5-technique like Darius Robinson or a nose tackle such as McKinnley Jackson to play alongside Turner.
It’ll be fascinating to see if the Rams take Murphy or Newton in the first round if either is available at No. 19, or if they wait much longer to take a defensive lineman. My money would be on the latter, simply because Turner would make a fantastic full-time 3-tech after playing a bunch of nose tackle in 2023.
Rams players have arrived for the 1st day of offseason workouts, including Kobie Turner and Tre’Davious White
It seems like not long ago that the Los Angeles Rams’ 2023 season came to an end with their loss to the Detroit Lions in the wild-card round, but the team is already back in the building preparing for the 2024 campaign.
Monday marked the first day of the offseason workout program, which will gradually ramp up leading into summer break before training camp. Initially, players will mostly go through meetings and lifting sessions, but they’ll be on the field for OTAs in May.
Players began arriving for these voluntary workouts, including Kobie Turner, Ernest Jones, Quentin Lake and Rob Havenstein. Players aren’t required to participate in these workouts but the Rams are not expected to have any holdouts, so attendance should be near-perfect, if not 100%.
The new guys have made their way into the Rams’ building, too. Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Kamren Curl, Jonah Jackson and Colby Parkinson all arrived on the first day as they get acclimated to their new team.
Kobie Turner sang the National Anthem at the Lakers game on Tuesday night and both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were in attendance
The stars were out at the Los Angeles Lakers game on Tuesday night, with three members of the Rams represented at Crypto.com Arena. It was a particularly special night for Kobie Turner, who had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem before tip-off.
Turner predictably nailed his rendition of the anthem, and both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were in attendance in Los Angeles. Nacua and Turner even took a few photos in custom Lakers jerseys before the game, rocking their Rams numbers in purple and gold.
Kupp got a custom jersey from the Lakers, too, with his No. 10 and name on the back.
But what you really came here for is Turner’s singing of the National Anthem, because it was truly impressive. Check out the video shared by the Rams below.
Kobie Turner will sing the National Anthem at the Lakers-Warriors game tonight and he’s sure to crush it
Los Angeles Rams fans know Kobie Turner as a standout defensive tackle who should’ve been recognized as the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023. However, he’s more than just an impressive pass rusher and run-stopper.
Off the field, Turner is a talented singer. He has a powerful voice, which he’s shown off several times in the past.
In January, he sang the National Anthem at the Los Angeles Kings game and on Tuesday night, he’ll belt out another rendition of the song. He’s signing the National Anthem before Tuesday night’s Lakers-Warriors game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, a big stage for the Rams defensive tackle.
Rams NT Kobie Turner is slated to sing the national anthem at tonight's Lakers-Warriors game at https://t.co/kDc0RdVy8a Arena.
He previously sang the national anthem before a Los Angeles Kings game at that arena back in January.
Quentin Lake is a rising player for the Rams after emerging as a dynamic defender in the slot last season
The Los Angeles Rams went from fielding star-studded defenses year after year to now deploying a unit filled with young, up-and-coming players. Gone are the days of Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, Leonard Floyd, Marcus Peters and now Aaron Donald.
Now, the Rams are leaning on players such as Kobie Turner, Ernest Jones and Byron Young. In addition to those three standout defenders, Quentin Lake is a player fans should know heading into the 2024 season. He’s expected to play a significant role next season after emerging as the team’s top slot defender last year, recently earning some recognition from Sean McVay.
During an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, McVay mentioned Lake as a young player the Rams can build around.
“Chris Shula’s going to do a great job leading our defensive unit,” McVay said. “We’ve got some young guys that we can really build around. Love what Kobie Turner did last year. Aaron really poured into him. Love the emergence of Byron Young. Ernest Jones is a special leader in the middle of our defense. I think Quentin Lake is a really special, emerging player. And then being able to add quality players on the back end like a Kam Curl, bringing Darious Williams back home. So we’re excited. We’re going to try to add some good players through this draft and we’ll see where we’re at.”
.@RamsNFL HC Sean McVay shares what's next for his defense after Aaron Donald's retirement…
"You don't ever replace an Aaron Donald…we've got some young guys that I feel like we can really build around…"
Lake joined the Rams as a sixth-round pick in 2022, primarily being viewed as a safety. Injuries limited him to only nine games as a rookie but he took his game to another level last season when the Rams moved him into the slot.
He excelled in that role, both as a run defender and in coverage. He earned a 71.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, helped by an impressive 84.6 tackling grade thanks to his missed tackle rate of only 3.8%.
With Williams and Tre’Davious White expected to be the starting cornerbacks on the outside, Lake has a golden opportunity to maintain his role as the primary slot defender.
He may not be a household name but Lake is in position to have a very good third season in the NFL.
Aaron Donald’s absence will undoubtedly be felt on the Rams defense next season. He was one of the best players in football and a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ defensive front for a decade, and there’s no easy way to replace him.
The Rams still have playmakers all over their roster, which has Donald feeling good about the state he left the team in. In his first post-retirement interview, he mentioned Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Ernest Jones as players who will help take the Rams into the next era, telling them that it’s their time now.
“I talk to them a million times and tell them, ‘it’s y’all time now,'” Donald said. “It’s time for you guys like Kobie to be the leader now, to Puka, to continue to build on what you did. Ernest, it’s your defense now. I told him that. To leave the team how I’m leaving the team, in good hands with great young guys that’s going to do some great things for the organization, make it even that much better for me to know I ain’t leaving it in a bad condition, it’s in good terms and they have a good team, and I feel like they’re going to have a lot of success.”
Of course, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Rob Havenstein and Tyler Higbee are all still in Los Angeles and will continue to be leaders in the locker room, but the Rams are also bringing along the next group of pillars – Turner, Jones and Nacua chief among them.
Fortunately for Turner, he got to spend one year learning from and working with Donald, which will certainly help him in his development as one of the best young defensive tackles in football. Jones also played alongside Donald for three seasons, and while they didn’t play the same position, they were two leaders on defense.
It’s hard not to feel good about the state of the Rams after their surprisingly impressive 10-7 season in 2023, and now they have a first-round pick (plus 10 other total selections) in the upcoming draft. They’re built to win now, even with as big a loss as Donald is.
Aaron Donald went viral for training with knives a few years ago and now Kobie Turner is working with the same trainer
Aaron Donald had the internet buzzing in 2018 when a video surfaced of him training with knives. They weren’t real knives, but the fact that Donald was even hand-fighting with a trainer using fake blades was wild enough to have fans going crazy.
Well, Donald is now passing the knife torch to his understudy, Kobie Turner. As all great pass rushers should, Turner is following in the footsteps of the future Hall of Famer and training with the same guy who went through those knife drills with Donald.
Turner shared a photo and three videos of himself working with Al “Poodie” Carson on Thursday, though there were no sharp objects in sight during his session. There was some violent and impressive hand-fighting, though, which is the purpose of training with a Krav Maga expert like Carson.
Carson gave Turner a shoutout on Twitter by calling him “the real DROY” and said that he’s doing the “GOAT99 workout,” alluding to the drills he did with Donald a few years back.
Turner looks explosive and powerful in the clips and could be in for an even better season than the one he had in 2023.
