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https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/09/nfl-rams-training-camp-roster-bubble-defense/4/
4 Rams defenders on roster bubble heading into training camp
The Los Angeles Rams didn’t dominate on defense the way many expected them to last season. With a star-studded unit that featured names such as Aaron Donald, Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh, the defense fell short of expectations.
It’s still a good unit on paper and there’s hope entering 2019, but changes on that side of the ball could force a handful of players off the roster. Here are four defenders on the roster bubble heading into training camp later this month.
NT Tanzel Smart
Smart’s chances of making the team took a significant hit when the Rams selected Greg Gaines in Round 4 – trading up to take him, at that. They’re clearly high on the rookie nose tackle, saying immediately after the draft that he could be a key piece in their base packages. With Sebastian Joseph-Day impressing coaches in spring workouts, too, it seems Smart is No. 3 on the depth chart.
He was tried as a starter in 2017, making four starts and playing all 16 games. He wasn’t utilized nearly as much last season, playing just two games. Being a starter again will be nearly impossible in 2019, but a good showing in camp could at least land him on the 53-man roster.
DB Marqui Christian
Taylor Rapp sure looks like someone who could easily replace Christian as that safety-linebacker hybrid defender. The Rams love Rapp’s game and had a first-round grade on him, and although he’s blocked by Eric Weddle and John Johnson on the depth chart, he’ll get on the field in dime packages.
Christian got a good amount of playing time last season as a tight end-covering specialist, but the Rams may not feel it’s necessary to keep him with Rapp likely taking over that role. Although Christian will be a difficult player to cut, the numbers game might cause the Rams to waive him.
OLB Trevon Young
The Rams may not be rich with top-tier talent at outside linebacker, but they do have a lot of depth at that position. That’s not necessarily a good thing for Young unless he can rise above Josh Carraway, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Justin Lawler. He did very little last season as a reserve, playing only two games in his rookie year.
Young has the measurables and athleticism to make it in the NFL, running a 4.78 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 258 pounds. But he needs to turn that raw potential into production on the field. It remains to be seen if he can do that, but this is a big offseason for the 2018 sixth-round pick.
OLB Justin Lawler
Lawler is in a similar situation as Young. He has more special teams value after playing 223 snaps in that department last season, but he doesn’t have the length or athleticism that Young does. His ceiling is lower as a pass rusher, but if he can bulk up and improve his play strength, perhaps the Rams can give him a shot at defensive end.
Regardless of where the Rams play him, he’s squarely on the roster bubble despite being in just his second season.
4 Rams defenders on roster bubble heading into training camp
The Los Angeles Rams didn’t dominate on defense the way many expected them to last season. With a star-studded unit that featured names such as Aaron Donald, Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh, the defense fell short of expectations.
It’s still a good unit on paper and there’s hope entering 2019, but changes on that side of the ball could force a handful of players off the roster. Here are four defenders on the roster bubble heading into training camp later this month.
NT Tanzel Smart
Smart’s chances of making the team took a significant hit when the Rams selected Greg Gaines in Round 4 – trading up to take him, at that. They’re clearly high on the rookie nose tackle, saying immediately after the draft that he could be a key piece in their base packages. With Sebastian Joseph-Day impressing coaches in spring workouts, too, it seems Smart is No. 3 on the depth chart.
He was tried as a starter in 2017, making four starts and playing all 16 games. He wasn’t utilized nearly as much last season, playing just two games. Being a starter again will be nearly impossible in 2019, but a good showing in camp could at least land him on the 53-man roster.
DB Marqui Christian
Taylor Rapp sure looks like someone who could easily replace Christian as that safety-linebacker hybrid defender. The Rams love Rapp’s game and had a first-round grade on him, and although he’s blocked by Eric Weddle and John Johnson on the depth chart, he’ll get on the field in dime packages.
Christian got a good amount of playing time last season as a tight end-covering specialist, but the Rams may not feel it’s necessary to keep him with Rapp likely taking over that role. Although Christian will be a difficult player to cut, the numbers game might cause the Rams to waive him.
OLB Trevon Young
The Rams may not be rich with top-tier talent at outside linebacker, but they do have a lot of depth at that position. That’s not necessarily a good thing for Young unless he can rise above Josh Carraway, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Justin Lawler. He did very little last season as a reserve, playing only two games in his rookie year.
Young has the measurables and athleticism to make it in the NFL, running a 4.78 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 258 pounds. But he needs to turn that raw potential into production on the field. It remains to be seen if he can do that, but this is a big offseason for the 2018 sixth-round pick.
OLB Justin Lawler
Lawler is in a similar situation as Young. He has more special teams value after playing 223 snaps in that department last season, but he doesn’t have the length or athleticism that Young does. His ceiling is lower as a pass rusher, but if he can bulk up and improve his play strength, perhaps the Rams can give him a shot at defensive end.
Regardless of where the Rams play him, he’s squarely on the roster bubble despite being in just his second season.
