Okay, does everybody feel good about Edge or ILB?

[Rams43]

I’m not sure that I do.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved this draft. LOVED it. I think they squeezed all they could out of those 7 picks that they originally started with in terms of value and position needs.

But it was never possible to acquire everything that the Rams needed to be ready for another SB run, IMO.

Unless the Rams are supremely confident in Obo (or some unknown other), I think they must be planning on another move at Edge. Might even require some player restructuring to provide the cap room, I dunno.

The other position at ILB is one that I still wonder about, although less so. Are they that sold on Kiser? I guess it’s possible, despite the fact that he’s never had a regular season snap. Maybe Kiser as a 2-down ILB? Or utilizing more nickel sets? Or lots of 3 Safety sets now that Rapp is here? Again, I dunno.

But I do know this. I now feel pretty darned comfortable at all of the other position groups, both regarding starters AND position depth. ALL of them. With the exception of possibly Edge and slightly at ILB, this team looks like it’s downright LOADED, and a very strong candidate for a return to The Dance.

Feelin’ Good, y’all. Lol.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I agree I think we're in good hands considering our picks, cap situation, etc. and we seem to be playing the long game organizationally.

Are you more concerned about our LBs than our OL?

 

[Memento]

OLB-wise? Unless they got someone like Polite in the third, I think it was smart of them to stand pat. We have Dante Fowler, Samson Ebukam, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Trevon Young, Justin Lawler, and Morgan Fox competing, which should be enough.

ILB-wise? They did take Dakota Allen, to go along with Cory Littleton, Micah Kiser, and Travin Howard.

That's not even counting Clay Matthews, who will likely play both OLB and ILB.

I think we did as well as we could, and some UDFA could surprise us.

 

[OldSchool]

No worries!

 

[PhillyRam]

I see Ebukam and Fowler in the base, then on passing downs Matthews moves outside at times or stays inside and blitzes at other times.

I think they can live with that. I expect Fowler to pick up where he left off in the playoffs, Ebukam to maje some strides, Matthews will be a factor moving him around, and Obo has a chance to be a situational player.

Plus JFM should get better at DE on pass rushing downs.

So...

Matthews
Donald
Brockers
John Franklin Myers
Fowler

..Is not a bad group on 3rd down.

 

[BonifayRam]

I see no concerns here @ LB'er inside or outside.

I remind myself that Wade utilizes a large amount of DB's in place of ILB'ers. He has some new weapons to use.....a super savvy veteran in Weddle who can play anywhere off the line & the Rams top draft selection & top safety talent Rapp to insert as he wishes likewise in place of any of those ILB'ers. Why would he not get some heavy use out of these two? Wade also has his 2018 big Nickel safety, Marqui Christian returning. Wade surprised me last season when he went to Marqui over the others Ramik Wilson & Bryce Hager he had as resources. Then there is safety Blake Countess both are entering their 4th seasons.

I have full confidence in 2nd season Micah Kiser as our starting MLB'er. Same can be said for WS-ILB'r Cory Littleton who should produce on the field far better in the weakside ILB'ing post in place of the damaged broken Mark Barron. 6 time all pro-Matthews can certainly back up both CL & MK as needed without any hiccups IMO.

Question here...Is the NFL still trending toward small, quicker linebackers? The correct answer is YES. Wade might also have a young secret weapon that nobody here in RODville is considering.....last year 7th rd draft selection ILB'er Travin Howard. I would not be so fast to write him off. At TCU where he did lead the team for 3 yrs in over 100 tackles back to back to back. He was known as a Tackling Machine & called “ball magnet.” Howard ran a 4.56 40-yard dash at his pro day. Littleton might have some strong competition this season. Snead gave Barry a prospect to groom in the late drafted Dakota Allen who's is undersized too.

Reference the SIX Edge Rushers Dante Fowler 5yr & Samson Ebukam 3rd yr have yet to peak. Clay Matthews is sure to join in with those two starters. We really have no idea what last years drafted ER's {Og Okoronkwo, Justin Lawler & Trevon Young} (all in their 2nd seasons) will contribute but I would imagine that they will improve & we did go to the SB with very little help from them last year.

 

[den-the-coach]

ILB...I like Micah Kiser more than most and feel good with Clay Matthews, who might start inside with Littleton and move outside on passing downs...Let's not forget Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who should be healthy this year and ready to contribute.

 

[Corbin]

I have no idea with the concern:

Outside LB;
Matthews
Fowler
with Samsonite as notable depth

Inside LB:
Littleton
Kiser swapping out with Rapp more than likely on passing situations.


IMO our weak spot out of all of those starting spots is Kiser as he's unproven and couldn't punch through to the starting lineup consistently last year.

Looking forward to seeing what Obo has this year.

Over all I think our starters are pretty damn solid with some pretty good depth.

 

[jjab360]

I think our run defense is going to be better if nothing else. Kiser will certainly be an upgrade over Barron in that regard and Clay over Ebukam. I think we're changing the narrative with our LBs to consistency over big plays.

I will admit, it is a bit disheartening to not have a single edge rusher that excites me, but maybe Ogbo surprises or Ebukam starts to show some consistency.

 

[Merlin]

I think Les bought time with the edge rush plain and simple. Pieces are there for an average range amount of pressure in front of a very good secondary. It should work. But going forward edge is still a need for us up until a guy or two show big improvement.

ILB it seems like they're going to let Wade develop someone by ensuring he's got enough options. Still think we're weak there tbh. But every team has an area or two of weakness, even the contenders. He is an elite DC though fortunately so he's very good at masking those weaknesses and I think that's where the safety position should factor in heavily, looking forward to seeing how he approaches it.

IMO our defense should look pretty stout vs the run this year. I think it's a priority, that they know they have to do it, and it will start from camp on. The new NT helps, Matthews helps, Weddle helps, Littleton's continued development helps, and so on. With a veteran defense it's really important that they focus on stuffing the run and that starts from camp and in how they wear pads and work it; it's not realistic to think they're going to turn it on and off like a switch.