Rams 2020 breakout watchlist: LB Travin Howard

[ROD-BOT]

Rams 2020 breakout watchlist: LB Travin Howard

The Rams need a player or two to emerge at inside linebacker this season after losing Cory Littleton in free agency. Micah Kiser seems like the frontrunner to be one of the starters at linebacker, …

theramswire.usatoday.com

Rams 2020 breakout watchlist: LB Travin Howard

The Rams need a player or two to emerge at inside linebacker this season after losing Cory Littleton in free agency. Micah Kiser seems like the frontrunner to be one of the starters at linebacker, but Travin Howard is another player to keep an eye on.

Howard is a former college safety-turned-linebacker with good speed and athleticism in the middle of the defense. He hasn’t yet emerged as a key player for the Rams after two seasons, but Year 3 will be his best opportunity yet.

Let’s take a look at why he could break out this season – and also why he might not.

NFL career thus far

Howard didn’t play at all as a rookie in 2018, in part because of an ankle injury. He finally got the call up last year but his playing time was still limited. Although he played 329 special teams snaps, he was only on the field with the defense 9% of the time – mostly in blowouts and a meaningless Week 17 game.

He finished 2019 with 22 tackles and three passes defensed, showing some potential down the stretch. He broke up a pass in each of the last three games he played, which was an encouraging way to head into the offseason.

Why he could break out

Howard is more like Littleton than Kiser is, which is good news. He has good range as a former safety and in coverage, he’s performed relatively well. Obviously, he still has to improve and become a more well-rounded linebacker if he’s to become a starter in 2020, but he’s on the right track.

Take a look at this play he made in Week 14 against the Seahawks on a throw down the seam to the tight end. Howard plays trail technique knowing he has help over the top, and although he doesn’t get his head turned around, he reads the receiver and gets his hands up at just the right moment to prevent a touchdown.

That was his first pass breakup of the season, but his second came a week later against the Cowboys. Once again, Howard (lined up on the far hash) is in man coverage against the tight end, Blake Jarwin.

It’s essentially a pick play for the outside receiver, but after he falls down, Dak Prescott looks at his tight end. Howard breaks on the ball and knocks it away to prevent the first down.

Those were two of Howard’s best plays of the season and show why the Rams have some confidence that he’ll be able to step up in a larger role in 2020.

Why he may not

Howard’s experience is limited, having played just 102 snaps on defense. Being a seventh-round pick entering his third year, too, he doesn’t exactly come with great draft pedigree.

As good as he looked on some plays in coverage, he also had some lapses. This play below was his worst rep of the season, letting the tight end get behind him on a wheel route. His make-up speed isn’t bad, but it wasn’t enough to break up the pass.

Another reason Howard may not break out is because of the competition he’s facing at linebacker. Kiser is his toughest challenger, but Kenny Young is a former starter for the Ravens and Troy Reeder also started for the Rams last season. Clay Johnston, a seventh-round pick this year, will be in the linebacker battle, too.

Howard will need to make up for his lack of experience with impact plays in practice and the preseason this summer. If not, he could be on the outside looking in when roster cuts are made.

 

[Merlin]

What is really interesting in reading articles like this is that if Howard really had something why wasn't he on the field more. So in a season where we saw a guy like Reeder come out of nowhere, all these guys like Howard, Kiser, Young, etc seem to be JAGs. Even Reeder is most likely going to end up being a JAG for that matter, so I'm not trying to put him on a pedestal or anything here.

Re: Johnston I think he has some intriguing film and IMO he has the ability to shine among this ILB room. But I just don't know how quick a study he'll be or that he can hold up to the way he hits ball carriers. This dude has pop and you can't teach that. And unfortunately you also can't teach a guy who hits as hard as he does to stay healthy.

So I'm in wait and see mode here with that position. Hopeful that someone will step up but trying to remain realistic with the group.

 

[MachS]

I think Howard has some natural talent, hoping him, Kaiser or Johnson can step up and make a legit impact this year. That position is wide open right now for us. It's unfortunate the off-season hasn't been a traditional one, so some of these guys could get extra work to get ready for this year.

 

[den-the-coach]

Howard better have a break out year because that is who I have tabbed to replace Cory Littleton.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Excellent article.

Rod Bot once again proves that he has the biggest rod at ROD.

 

[Dxmissile]

Howard might have had limited snaps but he produced and he flashed when he was on the field. He had 22 tackles playing 9 percent of the snaps that shows how active and instinctive he is.


He has the range the speed and the tackling ability to excel in Littleton role.

 

[ramfan46]

He's learning a new position so it's going to take him more time before he's reliable and knows all of the assignments. He looks to have the best quickness and change of direction out of the LB core.

 

[Ram65]

What is really interesting in reading articles like this is that if Howard really had something why wasn't he on the field more. So in a season where we saw a guy like Reeder come out of nowhere, all these guys like Howard, Kiser, Young, etc seem to be JAGs. Even Reeder is most likely going to end up being a JAG for that matter, so I'm not trying to put him on a pedestal or anything here.

Wade went with Littleton 93.7 % of the time at the cover ILber spot. Hard to take snaps away from the new $12 Million Man but at least Howard got some snaps in. He is a 7th round draft pick that was released and picked back up in 2018. The Rams must have liked something to keep him and resign him to a futures contract. I think they tagged him to replace at least some of Littleton's snaps. The Rams have some options with sub packages.

It really was a shame that Kiser got hurt in preseason. He would have played if he hadn't gotten injured. Rams settled for Reeder who played on only 26.9% of snaps. Reeder looked slow to change direction but, had the size to fill in as a run stopper. Again we don't have an NFL history with Kiser which doesn't mean he can or can't fill the run-stopping roll at ILBer. Kiser not playing was simply due to injury not inability.

I like what I've seen from Johnston. He could be the surprise of camp. Like you said the guy can hit. He seems to have quick reactions and good instincts.

Make no mistake about it this is a big question mark area for the Rams. The big hope is that Kiser can be at least be a steady 2 down run stopper. Lot's of speculation that Floyd could move to be in the middle on 3rd downs in the Littleton roll. That makes a lot of sense to me. The Rams have improved the quality and depth in both the secondary and defensive line. I think they have enough moving pieces to make this work.

 

[So Ram]

I think Howard has some natural talent, hoping him, Kaiser or Johnson can step up and make a legit impact this year. That position is wide open right now for us. It's unfortunate the off-season hasn't been a traditional one, so some of these guys could get extra work to get ready for this year.

Like Merlin said, don’t forget Reeder though. He had startering Reps . Thomas though was coming off a knee injury. Like I’ve posted before is teams throw over the top of him.

 

[Ram65]

Very encouraging article on Johnston. Sounds like he will be ready very soon. He got great help in his rehab.

https://www.wacotrib.com/sports/college/baylor/baylor-star-johnston-on-mend-rehabbing-in-china-spring-as-nfl-draft-approaches/article_17e80f73-2cf5-5985-84fe-cc8c9083a96c.html

Baylor star Johnston on mend, rehabbing in China Spring as NFL Draft approaches

• By JOHN WERNER jwerner@wacotrib.com
• Apr 7, 2020

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Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston (4) with Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch (93) at the start of the 2019 season. Johnston is keeping busy rehabbing the knee injury that ended his senior season.
Staff photo — Rod Aydelotte, file

Playing at an All-America level, Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston had just made a key fourth-quarter interception against Texas Tech when he collapsed to the turf.
Trying to cut to his left, Johnston felt his knee buckle in an uncomfortable way.
Johnston limped to the locker room along with his dad, Kent Johnston, who assisted Baylor’s training and strength staff. Though Clay hoped he didn’t suffer anything more than a hyperextended left knee, he also feared the worst.


“I helped him get out of his pads and then his body started shaking at that point because of the emotion and the disappointment,” Kent Johnston said. “You go from coach to dad real quick. It was heart breaking, but at the same time it is part of our game.”
Following tests, Johnston learned that he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament. After playing spectacularly during Baylor’s 6-0 start, Johnston was out for the remainder of the 2019 season.
It wasn’t just a traumatic moment for Johnston, it was a crushing blow to the entire team because the senior was such a major factor for the defense and was a leader that everyone respected.
“It was probably one of the most devastating things that has ever happened to me sports-wise,” Johnston said. “I knew we would go on and play for the Big 12 title against Oklahoma. But I was just devastated because I was like ‘Man, I can’t let the team down.’”


With Terrel Bernard stepping in for Johnston at middle linebacker, the defense regrouped to help the Bears reach the Big 12 championship game. Though the Bears suffered a 30-23 overtime loss to the Sooners at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, they made their first Sugar Bowl appearance in 63 years and finished with an 11-3 record under third-year coach Matt Rhule.
While he felt a lot of joy watching his teammates excel, Oct. 12 was the start of a long road back for Johnston.

Though his college career was over, Johnston still wanted a shot to play in the NFL. Following surgery by renowned physician Dr. James Andrews a week after his injury, Johnston has been rehabbing his knee for the last six months and is getting closer to 100 percent.

“I can run max speed right now and I’m about 90 to 95 percent in being able to change directions,” Johnston said. “The doctor told me I won’t be cleared until the first preseason game. But everything has gone great. I’m quarantined at home and my dad has helped a lot with my rehab and movement and lifting.”
Due to coronavirus shelter-in-place restrictions, Johnston has stayed home in China Spring to rehab and work out. He has been joined by his father, who is bringing 24 years of NFL experience as a strength and conditioning coach to Rhule’s Carolina Panthers’ staff.
“Dad has been extremely valuable,” Clay said. “He took over the rehab process and the training and knows what I need to do to come back from this ACL injury. He’s been a huge blessing and I’ll always be thankful for him. He does the same workout as me. At 64, he’s a lion.”



Former Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston is hoping to make it with an NFL team whether he is drafted or signs as a free agent later this month.
Staff photo — Rod Aydelotte, file
Johnston hopes a team will select him during the NFL Draft April 23-25, but he’ll be happy to go the free agent route if necessary. Though his only physical activity at February’s NFL Combine was the bench press, he met with numerous NFL teams during the week in Indianapolis.
Johnston had hoped to perform more drills at Baylor’s Pro Day on March 26, but it was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“I was bummed out that our Pro Day was canceled because I could have done some position drills,” Johnston said. “But I talked to eight teams at the Combine, and about eight to 10 more since then. I’ve talked to the Patriots, the Giants, the Titans and the Vikings the most, and I’ve talked some to the Bengals and the Bears. Deep down it would be cool to be drafted. But I just want the opportunity to play and be with the guys in the locker room because it’s a special place.”
Johnston has trained with Dan Pfaff, a former college track coach who has helped run the United States Olympic Training Center.
“Dan is a renowned track and field specialist, and he also specializes in movement rehabilitation,” Kent Johnston said. “He’s been instrumental in the process. Clay is moving really well. Unless he has some type of setback, he should be good to go if the NFL starts at the normal time.”
Kent Johnston said Andrews repaired his son’s knee with a graft from his patellar tendon. ACL injuries generally take at least nine months to heal, and Johnston believes most are the result of repeated hits to the knee instead of one blow.
“Most of those injuries in my opinion aren’t single events,” Kent Johnston said. “My personal belief is that the tendon has been wearing down over time. You can’t prove those things, but being around so many I believe most of them are erosive in nature. That’s why it’s so important that these players maintain good mechanics.”


A 2019 preseason all-Big 12 pick, Johnston had already accumulated 58 tackles with eight for loss when he went down in the sixth game of the season. Johnston was on his way to a phenomenal season after he was named second-team all-Big 12 in 2018 after collecting 99 tackles.
Following his injury, Johnston tried to encourage his teammates at practice and during games, and was happy the Bears went on to such a successful season capped by the Sugar Bowl. He was particularly proud of the way Bernard stepped in at middle linebacker and led the Bears with 112 tackles.
“I had a lot of faith in Terrel, and he’ll continue to be a great leader going forward,” Johnston said. “I tried to help with the coaching. The guys encouraged me and did a good job of not making me feel alone in my rehab process. They had a little motto ‘Play for Clay.’”
Johnston has been encouraged by the progress he’s made in his rehabilitation, and his father believes his son’s faith has helped him gain patience and find the right perspective throughout the arduous process.
“The biggest job for Clay is holding back the reins,” Kent Johnston said. “His mental makeup is to push things to the nth degree. But the bottom line is that his faith has carried him through, and he’s still on that journey.”

 

[oldnotdead]

It's hard to call Young a JAG when Phillips flat out refused to play him. So in order to see what he can do, you must go back to his time in Baltimore. The comparison is valid since both the Rams and the Ravens play the same hybrid 3-4 defense. In Baltimore's 2018 season Young played in 36% of their defensive snaps including 3 starts totaling 369 defensive snaps. In 2018 Young tallied 40 solo tackles, 11 combined, 4 tackles for loss, 13 QB pressures of which 7 were QB hits, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass defended, and 1 forced fumble. Those aren't JAG numbers. Snead specifically traded for him. Without Young, the Peters trade doesn't happen. Then Phillips for whatever reason flat refused to play him except on 32 STs snaps. Young was a 4th round pick by the Ravens in the 2018 draft (same draft as Howard)

Meanwhile, Travin had only 102 defensive snaps last year, too small a sample to judge much. Again Phillip's reluctance to play some of the young players was evident. Yet inexplicably Phillips played UDFA rookie Reeder 298 defensive snaps who recorded 36 solo and 22 combined tackles and nothing else. A case can be made for Howard and Reeder looking like JAGS, but I tend to give Reeder a pass considering he was playing as a UDFA rookie. Howard was a 7th round pick so he played as you would expect.

Young is the most experienced of the ILB which is why I expect him to start besides Kiser. I see Howard playing behind Young so with the drafting of Clay Johnston I see him playing behind Kiser with Reeder having to show up as a core STs player to make the roster.

 

[MachS]

Like Merlin said, don’t forget Reeder though. He had startering Reps . Thomas though was coming off a knee injury. Like I’ve posted before is teams throw over the top of him.

I'm not a fan of Reeder at all. Average-to-okay in the run game, and a complete liability in coverage. He got picked on so many times on 1st and 2nd down with play-action. Struggles to move laterally, I thought he was a glaring hole at ILB last yr. We bolstered the interior DL to help against the run, I would rather see more athletic LBs behind them. We know what Reeder is, lets see what some of the other young kids have. Rapp can also come down and help in the run game if need be in Nickel. That's how I would like to approach it but who knows what we do .

 

[Soul Surfer]

Howard might have had limited snaps but he produced and he flashed when he was on the field. He had 22 tackles playing 9 percent of the snaps that shows how active and instinctive he is.


He has the range the speed and the tackling ability to excel in Littleton role.

Even more impressive;
Three pass breakups in three games.

That's crazy good.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Howard played well for us last year. Late in the season we started going away from using a safety as a hybrid LB, and started giving Travin more snaps in passing downs in that spot, and he was effective. I think some of the delay in that may have been us feeling more confident with Taylor Rapp playing in the that hybrid spot as opposed to a safety strictly in coverage, but when Travin started getting more snaps, seems like Taylor was playing better too. I remember telling my friends last year that Travin Howard and Taylor Rapp may end up being a solid combo for us down the road.

Howard's main competition is going to be with Kenny Young really. I'm a Bruin fan and I like Kenny but Travin may have more upside in coverage, where as Kenny may be better fighting through blockers against the Run.

Fortunately for Howard he's actually kind of competing for 2 spots. He's competing with Kenny Young, and the rookie Johnson for the spot next to Micah Kiser (or Troy Reeder). But he'd also then be competing with Kiser to be the LB who stays on the field when we use multiple DB packages. Travin's coverage skills are better than Kiser's so he's got a real opportunity to be on the field plenty for us, and I think that's a good thing. He's been here going on his 3rd year, and I think he's ready to really contribute and stick.

 

[dang]

I know player often improve greatly in their first 3 years but I believe the Rams have a good ides if Reeders ceiling. No way someone doesn’t step up in his place this year. I doubt the Rams make any more FA moves on defense but I wouldn’t mind a vet ILB on the roster until the youngsters get acclimated.

 

[So Ram]

I'm not a fan of Reeder at all. Average-to-okay in the run game, and a complete liability in coverage. He got picked on so many times on 1st and 2nd down with play-action. Struggles to move laterally, I thought he was a glaring hole at ILB last yr. We bolstered the interior DL to help against the run, I would rather see more athletic LBs behind them. We know what Reeder is, lets see what some of the other young kids have. Rapp can also come down and help in the run game if need be in Nickel. That's how I would like to approach it but who knows what we do .

yeah - will be interesting how the LBer postion plays out? All I’m saying is Reeder came to play. Was he just a Wade guy ??
1-2 years ago Kiser was getting a lot of Reps in training camp. He would give up the outs all the time,with Mcvay picking on him.
Last year I noticed Thomas would get thrown over the top of?

 

[So Ram]

Official Site of the Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams Players Roster: Official team site with news, videos, photos, schedule, roster, depth charts, transactions, statistics, player profiles and ticket info.

www.therams.com

Does Daniel Bituli have a chance to make the squad ??


View: https://youtu.be/aYVHsjO-U04


He squares up on his tackles & has good closing speed. Looks a little undersized though.

 

[shovelpass]

Snead specifically traded for him. Without Young, the Peters trade doesn't happen.

I disagree. The Rams initially wanted to trade Peters to the Browns for LG Bitonio. The Browns said no so they traded with the Ravens to get a 5th and Young. That 5th was then used to dump Talib in Miami.

Travin had only 102 defensive snaps last year, too small a sample to judge much. Again Phillip's reluctance to play some of the young players was evident. Yet inexplicably Phillips played UDFA rookie Reeder 298 defensive snaps

The reason Reeder got those snaps is because the 2 players ahead of him were put on IR and Howard isn't the run stuffing type of LB to replace them. Which is why they brought in Young, to provide depth and possibly play. I think it comes down to 2 factors when inserting players into a lineup in any scheme, not just Wade's, 1) the player has to effective or ready, and 2) there has to be a need or a "hole". The Rams had a hole at ILB last season and Young didn't play, he was also benched then traded by the Ravens who opted to go with 2 aging journeymen in Fort and Bynes. Both Fowler and Ramsey were mid season trades like Young and both started immediately unlike Young. I think that Young either wasn't ready or is possibly a JAG.

 

[Ram65]

But he'd also then be competing with Kiser to be the LB who stays on the field when we use multiple DB packages. Travin's coverage skills are better than Kiser's so he's got a real opportunity to be on the field plenty for us, and I think that's a good thing. He's been here going on his 3rd year, and I think he's ready to really contribute and stick.

It was pointed out that Littleton's weakness was defending the run on 3rd downs. Teams ran right at the Rams on 3rd and long as well as 2nd and long. I think Howard would also be a liability in those situations as was Littleton. He is small (weight wise) to be a run stopper. Teams like the whiners and Hags won't hesitate to run at him in those situations. I don't think Kiser would be considered a 3rd down Lber. I and others have thought that the Rams could move Floyd over to the middle. The Rams would still have Ebu, Obo, Lewis, Polite, Fox, etc. to rush the QB. Floyd did play in the middle while at Georgia. He brings the versatility to the spot on 3rd downs. He has great length to play zone coverage and the ability to come up and play the run. Floyd can also rush the passer from the middle. He could just be the best choice

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

It was pointed out that Littleton's weakness was defending the run on 3rd downs. Teams ran right at the Rams on 3rd and long as well as 2nd and long. I think Howard would also be a liability in those situations as was Littleton. He is small (weight wise) to be a run stopper. Teams like the whiners and Hags won't hesitate to run at him in those situations. I don't think Kiser would be considered a 3rd down Lber. I and others have thought that the Rams could move Floyd over to the middle. The Rams would still have Ebu, Obo, Lewis, Polite, Fox, etc. to rush the QB. Floyd did play in the middle while at Georgia. He brings the versatility to the spot on 3rd downs. He has great length to play zone coverage and the ability to come up and play the run. Floyd can also rush the passer from the middle. He could just be the best choice

I'd love to see some film breakdown of this, but here's what I noticed. When Corey was the ONLY LB on the field on passing downs, teams moved the ball on us inside the box better. When we put Travin Howard in instead of Marqui Christian, and moved Taylor Rapp to a more traditional Safety position, thus giving us 2 LBs on the field in those situations, our defense played much better particularly against the Run.

I ranted for 2 seasons about that telling my friends to look how often other teams were keeping at least 2 LBs on the field most of the time, compared to our 1 and how much more stout those defense were vs. the Run