Rams believe draft pick Terrell Lewis will improve pass rush

[ROD-BOT]

Rams believe healthy dose of draft pick Terrell Lewis will improve pass rush

At 6 feet 5 and 262 pounds, Terrell Lewis adds size, speed and a potentially disruptive presence to a Rams pass rush that is led by star Aaron Donald.

www.latimes.com

Rams believe healthy dose of draft pick Terrell Lewis will improve pass rush

In their quest for an edge-rushing presence, and to mitigate the loss of two dynamic players, the Rams selected Alabama’s Terrell Lewis in the third round of the NFL draft.

New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley intimated that the Rams got a potential steal.

“His talent is not indicative of where he was drafted,” Staley said during a video conference with reporters.

So far, Staley has only been able to evaluate Lewis in a virtual setting. The real test will come when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted enough for Rams players and coaches to finally get onto the field.

But Lewis looks the part of a top prospect.

At 6 feet 5 and 262 pounds, he adds size, speed and a potentially disruptive presence to a Rams pass rush that is led by star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

“They told me how much they believe in me and my abilities,” Lewis said April 24, the day he was drafted. “They can’t wait to display it to every other team that passed up on me, and I can’t wait either.

“Just ready to get to work and make everybody else pay for the wait.”

Lewis is expected to help fill a void left by the departures of outside linebackers Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews.

Last season, Fowler recorded a career-best 11½ sacks. Matthews added eight for a team that finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons under coach Sean McVay.

After the season, McVay cut ties with veteran defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and hired the 37-year-old Staley, an outside linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos the last three seasons.

In March, the Rams released Matthews, and Fowler left to sign a $45-million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Rams moved quickly to replace Fowler, signing edge rusher Leonard Floyd. The 2016 first-round pick had underperformed in four seasons with the Bears — he never had more than seven sacks in a season — but his background playing under Staley helped convince the Rams he was worth a one-year, $10-million prove-it contract.

A month later, after selecting running back Cam Akers and wide receiver Van Jefferson in the second round, the Rams chose Lewis.

On an Alabama team full of NFL prospects, Lewis was considered among the most talented, but injuries apparently affected his draft stock.

Lewis was sidelined 10 games during the 2017 season because of an upper-arm injury. He returned for the national championship game and had seven tackles and a key sack in the Crimson Tide’s 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia.

Lewis sat out all of the 2018 season because of a torn knee ligament. He played in 10 games last season and had 11½ tackles for lost yardage, six sacks and two pass breakups.

“He’s had some injuries, but I think they’ve been some freak instances,” McVay said. “You look at when this guy is able to play, he’s healthy, he’s ready to go.”

Lewis will compete to start opposite Floyd in the Rams’ hybrid 3-4 scheme.

Fourth-year pro Samson Ebukam, who has started 21 games, Obo Okoronkwo, Natrez Patrick, Justin Lawler and Jachai Polite are other outside linebackers who will compete for playing time.

Lewis joins a roster that also includes former Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. The Rams signed Robinson in March after he played four seasons for the Detroit Lions. Robinson said he spoke to Lewis during return visits to Tuscaloosa, Ala., in 2016 and 2017. He also called Lewis after the draft.

“He has the intensity, tenacity just to … tear things up,” Robinson said. “He really gets after it. He plays the game smart, and he does everything he’s supposed to do. And I feel he can get off that edge and be a burning thing off the edge.”

Lewis is looking forward to contributing to the Rams’ defense. Alabama, under coach Nick Saban, prepares players for the NFL, he said.

“I think we go through an NFL process in college,” he said. “When you get to the NFL, you know the game.”

 

[oldnotdead]

Lewis gives them power and speed and positional versatility off the edge in pass rushing, something they lack with Brockers who simply relies upon his bullrush and he doesn't drop. He will be a very good bookend for Floyd. With Floyd, Lewis, and Ebukam, the offense won't know which if any will drop and who if not all 3 will be coming. Floyd and Lewis give the Rams something they have lacked until now. That being a true OLB who can match Ebukam's impact at SAM. They tried it with Fowler and he busted badly.

The problem with Lewis is he lacks the polish you want in at starting DE. So they resigned Brockers to allow them to ease Lewis into the position. But even as a situational pass rusher he will have an opportunity to impact. Okoronkwo was played similarly last year and simply didn't impress. He wasn't bad on the field, he simply showed himself to be a backup level talent at this point. Which IMO is the reason they drafted Lewis who has legitimate 1st round talent. I feel that in 3 years we will see that Lewis was a steal in this past draft.

In 2023 this is going to be the best d-line in the NFL with Floyd, AD, Robinson, and Lewis. If Kiser can stay healthy they will finally have a legit MIKE who brings speed and hitting to the middle of the defense. In Young, they could have their missing piece in a coverage LB as he has the build and speed of a SS. And of course, they have the guy who is IMO one of the best SAM LBs in Ebukam who has proved beyond all doubt he is an impact player. Lewis, Robinson, Floyd, and Kiser look to be the missing pieces in this defense. This D has the talent to be something truly special for years.

And yes in 2023 the Rams will be playing a 2-5 scheme, but that is why so many teams are switching to the hybrid 3-4 to have the speed and ability to play multiple schemes with the same base personnel. QBs won't know what scheme they are facing pre-snap. Centers will never really be sure who is coming and who isn't so it will affect their blocking calls.

So yeah Lewis is an important piece of the puzzle but not as much this year. Teams are going to find out their best passing down will be on first or second down. On obvious passing downs and with Lewis rotating in they will be facing a much-improved pass rush which is going to use just 4 men. Once Lewis becomes a full-time starter opposite Floyd this will be close that hole in the defensive scheme.

 

[Soul Surfer]

The man sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder.

I like that.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

This guy would have been a first rounder if not for the injury history. Lets hope he stays healthy as a Ram.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Terrell Lewis pegged as Rams' biggest steal in 2020 draft

Terrell Lewis was a third-round pick, but his potential is extremely high.

theramswire.usatoday.com

Terrell Lewis pegged as Rams' biggest steal in 2020 draft

On tape, Terrell Lewis looked like a top-50 pick in the 2020 draft. He wasn’t selected in the first 50 picks, falling all the way to the third round at No. 84 overall.

The reason for that is his injury history, which is quite lengthy. He missed almost his entire sophomore season at Alabama with a torn ligament in his elbow. In 2018, he tore his ACL before the season began, sidelining him for all of his junior year.

He returned last season and was named second-team All-SEC with six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, but his reemergence was a little too late for him to improve his draft stock enough. The Rams benefited from Lewis slipping in the draft, and he’s been called a steal by several outlets.

Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling selected each team’s biggest steal in the 2020 draft and Lewis was unsurprisingly his pick for the Rams.

Part of the reason Lewis is even considered a potential steal is because of his untapped potential. His impact was greatly hindered by his inability to stay on the field, which also limited the amount of time he had to practice. The hope is that he finally stays healthy in the NFL, which the Rams expect after Sean McVay called his injuries “freak instance,” and finally have a big impact on defense.

Lewis has the makings of a really good edge rusher. He’s 6-foot-5, 262 pounds and has 33 7/8-inch arms, which allows him to take on blockers, disengage and even bull rush them into the quarterback. He’s similar to Leonard Floyd thanks to his length and size, which made it no surprise that Brandon Staley eyed him in the draft.

In order for Lewis to live up to his billing as a potential steal in the draft, he’ll need to stay healthy and have an impact as a pass rusher. Double-digit sacks are certainly in the cards for Lewis at some point – probably not as a rookie – so it’s about staying available and taking to the coaching of Staley.

 

[JonRam99]

Ya I know they're young @flv but Lewis, Obo, Ebu, & Floyd will tear it up this year. I actually was impressed by Obo. He may need a bit more seasoning but that kid can get LOW. Teams will not be game planning for these kids & will have no idea what's coming.

 

[Corbin]

I have a feeling this guy is going to be like Todd Gurley, do some great things for a few years before his body starts catching up with him. By that time I hope we don't give him a monster contract like Gurley.

 

[So Ram]

Lewis gives them power and speed and positional versatility off the edge in pass rushing, something they lack with Brockers who simply relies upon his bullrush and he doesn't drop. He will be a very good bookend for Floyd. With Floyd, Lewis, and Ebukam, the offense won't know which if any will drop and who if not all 3 will be coming. Floyd and Lewis give the Rams something they have lacked until now. That being a true OLB who can match Ebukam's impact at SAM. They tried it with Fowler and he busted badly.

The problem with Lewis is he lacks the polish you want in at starting DE. So they resigned Brockers to allow them to ease Lewis into the position. But even as a situational pass rusher he will have an opportunity to impact. Okoronkwo was played similarly last year and simply didn't impress. He wasn't bad on the field, he simply showed himself to be a backup level talent at this point. Which IMO is the reason they drafted Lewis who has legitimate 1st round talent. I feel that in 3 years we will see that Lewis was a steal in this past draft.

In 2023 this is going to be the best d-line in the NFL with Floyd, AD, Robinson, and Lewis. If Kiser can stay healthy they will finally have a legit MIKE who brings speed and hitting to the middle of the defense. In Young, they could have their missing piece in a coverage LB as he has the build and speed of a SS. And of course, they have the guy who is IMO one of the best SAM LBs in Ebukam who has proved beyond all doubt he is an impact player. Lewis, Robinson, Floyd, and Kiser look to be the missing pieces in this defense. This D has the talent to be something truly special for years.

And yes in 2023 the Rams will be playing a 2-5 scheme, but that is why so many teams are switching to the hybrid 3-4 to have the speed and ability to play multiple schemes with the same base personnel. QBs won't know what scheme they are facing pre-snap. Centers will never really be sure who is coming and who isn't so it will affect their blocking calls.

So yeah Lewis is an important piece of the puzzle but not as much this year. Teams are going to find out their best passing down will be on first or second down. On obvious passing downs and with Lewis rotating in they will be facing a much-improved pass rush which is going to use just 4 men. Once Lewis becomes a full-time starter opposite Floyd this will be close that hole in the defensive scheme.

2023 ?? I like Oko , but hard to say right now. Lewis is still real raw,but signed until 2024.

Floyd & Robinson are signed to a 1 year & a 2 year deal.

 

[Memento]

Let's not forget about Polite. I think he shows why he could've been a first round pick this year. If Lewis produces as well...just imagine the possibilities.

 

[Ram65]

Let's not forget Staley will be using the muddle defense at times and will be having pass rushers from all positions. So one play the ILBer could pass rush on another it could be a safety. With that coverages will be mixed to confuse opposing quarterbacks. That's why he wants versatile players that can pass rush, play the run and cover. The edges rushers will be important as well thus Lewis will get his chances.

I like the possible rotation with Floyd, Ebu, Obo, Polite, Lawler and Lewis. I expect Ebu to pair with Floyd as starters but, if Lewis shows better he could start. I expect he could be more of an asset early as a designed pass rusher. Either way, he will see significant playing time. Ebu shared playing time with Mathews last year and showed well. Obo flashed that spin move with some late-season play. Polite has a great get off and was considered the best pass rusher in his draft class. Lawler is a work hard player that has a variety of pass rush moves. While Floyd hasn't had great sack numbers he fits the bill as a great edge run defender and pass defender. I think he benefits from the system that has a solid DL.

Aaron Donald is the best pass rusher on the defense. It takes two offensive lineman to block him. It might take two to hold off The Big A in the middle. I can see holes opening up for stunts that the Lbers can take advantage of like Folwer did. On third and long you can expect a four-man pass rush with Donald leading the way and Lewis with his ears pinned back. Staley will have fresh players rotating in. Look for Polite to get a good chance as a designed pass rusher.

 

[So Ram]

I guess the most exciting thing about Lewis was his combine numbers ?? It shows his raw ability. I saw the Senior Bowl game & he looked slow with his reactions & instincts.

2020 might not be hisby ear ?? I don’t see it & think rookies will have a harder time than years past. He has not even stepped foot on the grass.

I like Ram Fans drinking the Kool-Aide. I do believe we need to see a player in Horns first. I still don’t know how other players step up. I’ll say Sampson Ebukham will be the Man in 2020. The big question mark will be if he brings comp picks or if The Rams will be able to resign him ??
Morgan Fox has been a core rotation guy that both AD & LSU DT respect. He plays well rotating with Greg Gaines. It is like Sitting on a fast ball or a curve ball.Both players bring a change of pace a OLman will have to adjust to in game.
OBo is a player I’m intrigued by because seeing in the flesh he flashes as a athletic player.
The D Front will finally be stout with Floyd & A.Jefferson. Lewis was a value pick for sure. To say he will have a chip on his shoulders will have to start on the practice field which he still has not appeared on. Cam & Jerfferson we’re both drafted a round ahead of him. I think he still lacks the experience as of now. Polite & others have more experience, but not sure how certain player will show up when the lights are on ??

 

[Reddog99]

The LB that im most excited to see play is Obo so hopefully he stays healthy. Same with Lewis I dont know much about him other than what's been said here but y'all have me pumped to see the guy play. Polite seems like someone interesting to watch though I'm pretty meh about Floyd. Idk about Ebukam he seems to be what he is at this point. I hope he takes that next step this year cuz I'm a fan of Ebukam but he flashes here and there but I haven't noticed him consistently. Hes fast tackles well and gets to the QB at times but then disappears for stretches. Unless he shows something more this year then he's a JAG imo.

 

[Merlin]

Let's not forget about Polite. I think he shows why he could've been a first round pick this year. If Lewis produces as well...just imagine the possibilities.

Man I hate to be negative here but...

I don't expect anything from Polite. The guy barely knows how to fucking act so until I see him getting his shit together he's a sideline circus show as far as I'm concerned. Would it be nice? Hells yes. But meh.

And I don't expect a thing from Lewis his rookie season. It's his film. The guy does not show his insane ability snap to snap. He'll flash here and there and that's why he went where he did. Generally high end talents who underwhelm in college don't become Hall of Fame type players. There are some, sure. But it's not a good combo.

The only guy who I am even remotely excited about on the edge is Oko and he's had injury problems. But just watching his rush attempts the guy has something to him. The Rams need to get that out and on the field on more snaps too or there's a good chance we're going to have a shitty edge rush.