Rookie OLB Chris Garrett (No regular season snaps)?

[Florida_Ram]

Does anyone else wonder what happened to this guy?

He flashed stud abilities in the preseason and then got the Covid bug.

Rams small school draft pick Rookie OLB Chris Garrett didn't get one snap during the regular season?


It didn’t help that he began the year on the reserve/COVID-19 list, missing the first game of the season before being activated on Sept. 22. But he’s still only played just four defensive snaps and six on special teams, being active for only one game: Week 3 against the Bucs.

He’s been a healthy scratch three times, even with Justin Hollins being out for an extended period of time. It’s somewhat surprising, but McVay had an explanation for reporters Friday when asked about Garrett.

“Seeing progress with him. It’s unfortunate because he was a guy that I thought made so much progress throughout the course of the preseason, and you could really see the influence and the effect that he had on the game, specifically just rushing the quarterback,” McVay said. “And you guys hear me say it all the time, repetition is the mother of learning.

He’s a young player that has a lot of upside, but he’s still continuing to learn. And that COVID got him pretty good. He’s recovering, he’s getting back to where he’s getting comfortable and he’s really maximizing his practice opportunities.

He’s done a great job in a lot of the look team settings, giving those offensive linemen and tight ends some really challenging looks. He’s getting better and he’s making our team better.

We’re still very optimistic about what he can bring to our football team and whether it’s this week or at some point this year, we’re going to need him.”

Sean McVay explains why Chris Garrett has been inactive so often

Chris Garrett has only played one game this season, and Sean McVay says that has to do with several factors.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

They likely needed him to learn and to beef up. He’s behind much more experienced competition.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I have my fingers-crossed on Chris Garrett and Bobby Brown. Both were on the 53-man-roster but mostly not game-day-active; and rarely saw the field on defense when they were dressed for a game.

Just checked, and Brown was in on 22 defensive snaps, while Garrett had just 4 snaps.

That's 26 more snaps than Sebastian Joseph-Day had his entire rookie season. Joseph-Day who was on the 53 his entire rookie season but did not dress for a single game. He was starting in 2019, and (I thought) was OK. However, he showed (my opinion) significant improvement in 2020 and was very effective.

That's the thing about keeping mid-and-late-round picks on the 53-man-roster but not letting them touch the field ... as opposed to exposing them to the Practice Squad, where they can be claimed. My guess is that the coaches and team evaluators see something.

Brycen Hopkins is the best example. He's taken-up a roster spot for two years but for 38 games (2020 and 2021 Regular Seasons and Post-Season before the Super Bowl) did nothing. I have been guessing (hoping) the Rams saw something; and on the Championship-winning touchdown-drive, Hopkins caught more balls (2) than he did in those prior 38 games total (1 catch).

And it's not because of draft-status. Remember John Franklin-Myers.

 

[blackbart]

Kept looking for him to make a move each week, was disappointed a little but, happy they had him on the 53.

After a year in the program he should make an impact in 22.

 

[ottoman89]

Not sure what you'd expect out of him in Y1. That's a big jump to make from the level he played in college to the NFL. I'd expect we see more in Y2 and in Y3 he's a solid situational guy.

 

[rdlkgliders]

The fact he remained on the 53 gives me hope. Even if he takes steps this year and only plays on ST and in certain packages I will be happy. Just keep progressing 48

 

[Neil039]

The history is there to show they have plans for both ( @Allen2McVay ) point about first year snaps.

 

[FrantikRam]

Yep just see SJD.

IMO, the plan was for him to replace Obo as a rotational guy starting in 2022.

 

[Mojo Ram]

He's just another typical Rams red shirt draft pick who will get coached up and ready to play when the guy in front of him is let go for another comp pick.

I think he can be pretty special. He plays with violence and speed.

 

[oldnotdead]

Garrett came in raw so a redshirt year couldn't hurt. He needed to build up, and be coached up. The kid has potential, but being raw is what dropped him. He's still going to be behind Lewis and Hollins. Garrett's biggest area of improvement needs to be in his coverage technique. IMO that is the biggest reason he didn't see the field last season. But he needs to show he can be a rotational OLB opposite Hollins. If Garrett takes that next step he will get Okoronkwo's snaps this year. Okoronkwo improved but he was still a one-trick pony and a liability in coverage.

Okoronkwo's lack of burst shows in his play. He ran a 1.65 10 yd split which is poor. Garrett doesn't have long speed but his 10 yd split of 1.57 is good and it showed last preseason. If he continues to show that kind of burst he will replace Okoronkwo, and IMO that is exactly why he was drafted.

If Miller isn't re-signed then IMO Lewis and Hollins will share the rotation opposite Floyd. Hollins brings as much speed and length as a pass rusher as Miller. I can see Lewis on early downs and Hollins on passing downs. If Garrett can take Okoronkwo's roster spot I think he can get game snaps as a rotational edge or OLB behind Lewis / Hollins.

 

[Merlin]

Definitely looking forward to seeing what a year of pro training can do to bring out his natural rush gifts. Hope he comes into camp hot.

 

[ottoman89]

Garrett came in raw so a redshirt year couldn't hurt. He needed to build up, and be coached up. The kid has potential, but being raw is what dropped him. He's still going to be behind Lewis and Hollins. Garrett's biggest area of improvement needs to be in his coverage technique. IMO that is the biggest reason he didn't see the field last season. But he needs to show he can be a rotational OLB opposite Hollins. If Garrett takes that next step he will get Okoronkwo's snaps this year. Okoronkwo improved but he was still a one-trick pony and a liability in coverage.

Okoronkwo's lack of burst shows in his play. He ran a 1.65 10 yd split which is poor. Garrett doesn't have long speed but his 10 yd split of 1.57 is good and it showed last preseason. If he continues to show that kind of burst he will replace Okoronkwo, and IMO that is exactly why he was drafted.

If Miller isn't re-signed then IMO Lewis and Hollins will share the rotation opposite Floyd. Hollins brings as much speed and length as a pass rusher as Miller. I can see Lewis on early downs and Hollins on passing downs. If Garrett can take Okoronkwo's roster spot I think he can get game snaps as a rotational edge or OLB behind Lewis / Hollins.

How much can we rely on Lewis? Dude wasn't active down the stretch.

 

[CoachAllred]

I think he can be pretty special. He plays with violence and speed.

Damn Right!! Man I love the ways this kid is geared!!

 

[CoachAllred]

Hope he comes into camp hot.

Me too. Don't think we're gonna see Von back.

 

[hotanez]

How much can we rely on Lewis? Dude wasn't active down the stretch.

yeah he basically became an after thought when we traded for Von. No way he was stealing any snaps from Von or Floyd

 

[jrry32]

And it's not because of draft-status. Remember John Franklin-Myers.

In retrospect, cutting him was a mistake. He's developed into a pretty good player with the Jets.

 

[ottoman89]

In retrospect, cutting him was a mistake. He's developed into a pretty good player with the Jets.

Feel like most of us were bummed to see him go.

 

[RamDino]

Feel like most of us were bummed to see him go.

Not trying to derail this thread... but why did the Rams let him go. I thought he had a pretty good rookie year. And didn't he start n the super bowl?

 

[ottoman89]

Not trying to derail this thread... but why did the Rams let him go. I thought he had a pretty good rookie year. And didn't he start n the super bowl?

That's an excellent question. I've always wondered also.

 

[Ram65]

Sean McVay explains why Chris Garrett has been inactive so often

Chris Garrett has only played one game this season, and Sean McVay says that has to do with several factors.

theramswire.usatoday.com

​

Sean McVay explains why Chris Garrett has been inactive so often​

Cameron DaSilva

October 16, 2021 8:01 am PT


Chris Garrett making the Rams’ 53-man roster was a feat in its own right, being a seventh-round pick from a Division II program. He didn’t play in 2020 because the season was canceled, so he had an uphill climb to making the team as a rookie.
It didn’t help that he began the year on the reserve/COVID-19 list, missing the first game of the season before being activated on Sept. 22. But he’s still only played just four defensive snaps and six on special teams, being active for only one game: Week 3 against the Bucs.

He’s been a healthy scratch three times, even with Justin Hollins being out for an extended period of time. It’s somewhat surprising, but McVay had an explanation for reporters Friday when asked about Garrett.

“Seeing progress with him. It’s unfortunate because he was a guy that I thought made so much progress throughout the course of the preseason, and you could really see the influence and the effect that he had on the game, specifically just rushing the quarterback,” McVay said. “And you guys hear me say it all the time, repetition is the mother of learning. He’s a young player that has a lot of upside, but he’s still continuing to learn. And that COVID got him pretty good. He’s recovering, he’s getting back to where he’s getting comfortable and he’s really maximizing his practice opportunities. He’s done a great job in a lot of the look team settings, giving those offensive linemen and tight ends some really challenging looks. He’s getting better and he’s making our team better. Whether or not he ends up being active, there are a lot of things that go into that: our personnel groupings that we’re activating, what’s his contribution in the kicking game, all those types of things. He’s a guy that we still have a lot of confidence in, but that COVID did set him back a little bit. We’re still very optimistic about what he can bring to our football team and whether it’s this week or at some point this year, we’re going to need him.”

Garrett landed on COVID-19 reserve on Sept. 20, so he spent almost three weeks on the sideline because of it. Clearly, that absence impacted him and he’s still getting up to speed in the Rams defense.

He’s currently behind the likes of Leonard Floyd, Terrell Lewis and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on the depth chart at outside linebacker, while Justin Lawler has also gotten more opportunities than Garrett despite being on the practice squad.
McVay was asked whether it’s personnel decisions or Garrett getting up to speed that have led to his inactivity, but he pins it on several things.

“It’s all of the above. Personnel groupings, him getting back comfortable in a rhythm and routine, and then just continuing to earn that trust from us as coaches,” McVay said. “But I’ve been pleased with Chris. He’s done a nice job. I wouldn’t look at him not being activated as anything negative other than, ‘Hey, it just kind of hasn’t worked out.’ That’s where some of those fringe spots when you’re talking about that 46th to 48th guy on game day. There’s a little bit of flexibility that is required, and the kicking game has a lot to do with that.”

So it’s not just one thing that has kept Garrett out of action in the first five weeks of his career. It’s a collection of factors, some of which are out of his control.
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Back on Chris Garrett.

This article explains a lot, at least early in the year. C-19 affects everyone a little differently. Who knows if he would have played had the Rams not trade for Miller.

It sounds like McVay is still very high on the kid. Add in the fact that he is raw but, improving makes 2022 a year to see him on the field.