The Los Angeles Rams' selection of defensive playmaker could spell a shift in role for standout defender in 2025

[CoachAllred]

The Los Angeles Rams' selection of defensive playmaker could spell a shift in role for standout defender in 2025​

By AJ Schulte

​

Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, one of the biggest needs that the Los Angeles Rams had to solve was adding to their pass rush depth behind Jared Verse and Byron Young. The two are productive pass rushers, but the players behind them are unproven after the departure of Michael Hoecht in free agency.

Thus, the Rams selected Josaiah Stewart, a pass rusher from Michigan, to help fill out the room. It initially came as a surprise that the Rams selected him in the third round, as this wasn’t viewed as an early-round need for the team. However, Stewart was undeniably a talented prospect, so the pick was more than fine.

At first, it seemed like Stewart was designated to be the team’s designated pass rusher, a rotational subpackage pass rusher put in for obvious passing situations. Given his slight frame at 6’1 and roughly 240 pounds, this made sense. However, a snippet from Jourdan Rodrigue’s story in The Athletic revealed an interesting tidbit about how the Rams plan on utilizing Stewart and could spell a different role for Byron Young.

“Josaiah Stewart, the outside linebacker out of Michigan whom the Rams selected with pick No. 90, is a little bit of a nostalgic pick who also follows their pattern of late. The high-motor pass rusher has the athleticism and personality to fill the role in the five-man rush packages left by Michael Hoecht in free agency…Stewart will now be the youngest, but he already has the personality and position flexibility to slot into what the Rams call their “Cheetah” package, which presents extra pass rushers who can either purely rush, simulate pressure or even drop into coverage in some instances.”

These “five-man rush packages” are the Rams’ penny fronts, a 5-1 front that the Rams often use in base formations. That’s where Michael Hoecht played the most often for the Rams there, and the Rams won the Super Bowl with these fronts at the, well, forefront of their defense.

This emphasis on Stewart as a “base” defender, as well as a later near-trade that almost happened for a similar pass rusher in the draft, almost seems to point to a bigger role in mind for Stewart than originally anticipated. Perhaps, Stewart could be headed for the starting job opposite Jared Verse, which Byron Young currently occupies, to take Young off the field on run-downs.

It certainly seems like a signal of their desire to improve in every facet of the game to make a deep playoff push. Regardless of how the snaps shake out, the Rams definitely improved their defensive front.

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I hope we will still see that 5 man rush. I know we did it out of necessity last year
I don't know that we will need to help our 4 man rush this year, still it would be intriguing to see Stewart
operate in the role Hoecht played in that package.

​

Another gentleman I'm excited to see is Brennan Jackson. Got injured early Last year
Him being a rookie- catching up with the rest of the team was not possible
But I hear he is having nice camp. At 6'4" 263lbs he still moves well

 

[DzRams]

The Los Angeles Rams' selection of defensive playmaker could spell a shift in role for standout defender in 2025​

By AJ Schulte

​

Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, one of the biggest needs that the Los Angeles Rams had to solve was adding to their pass rush depth behind Jared Verse and Byron Young. The two are productive pass rushers, but the players behind them are unproven after the departure of Michael Hoecht in free agency.

Thus, the Rams selected Josaiah Stewart, a pass rusher from Michigan, to help fill out the room. It initially came as a surprise that the Rams selected him in the third round, as this wasn’t viewed as an early-round need for the team. However, Stewart was undeniably a talented prospect, so the pick was more than fine.

At first, it seemed like Stewart was designated to be the team’s designated pass rusher, a rotational subpackage pass rusher put in for obvious passing situations. Given his slight frame at 6’1 and roughly 240 pounds, this made sense. However, a snippet from Jourdan Rodrigue’s story in The Athletic revealed an interesting tidbit about how the Rams plan on utilizing Stewart and could spell a different role for Byron Young.



These “five-man rush packages” are the Rams’ penny fronts, a 5-1 front that the Rams often use in base formations. That’s where Michael Hoecht played the most often for the Rams there, and the Rams won the Super Bowl with these fronts at the, well, forefront of their defense.

This emphasis on Stewart as a “base” defender, as well as a later near-trade that almost happened for a similar pass rusher in the draft, almost seems to point to a bigger role in mind for Stewart than originally anticipated. Perhaps, Stewart could be headed for the starting job opposite Jared Verse, which Byron Young currently occupies, to take Young off the field on run-downs.

It certainly seems like a signal of their desire to improve in every facet of the game to make a deep playoff push. Regardless of how the snaps shake out, the Rams definitely improved their defensive front.

***************************************************************************************************************************​

I hope we will still see that 5 man rush. I know we did it out of necessity last year
I don't know that we will need to help our 4 man rush this year, still it would be intriguing to see Stewart
operate in the role Hoecht played in that package.

​

Another gentleman I'm excited to see is Brennan Jackson. Got injured early Last year
Him being a rookie- catching up with the rest of the team was not possible
But I hear he is having nice camp. At 6'4" 263lbs he still moves well

I'm excited about Stewart, too. I said when he was drafted that I see him replacing Young....maybe not right away but eventually.

I wasn't Brennan Jackson was gonna make the 53 cut, but his chances are better now with the Keir Thomas injury. I heard Thomas had a strong camp. And he and Hampton have gotten both starts in the preseason.

 

[So Ram]

I'm excited about Stewart, too. I said when he was drafted that I see him replacing Young....maybe not right away but eventually.

I wasn't Brennan Jackson was gonna make the 53 cut, but his chances are better now with the Keir Thomas injury. I heard Thomas had a strong camp. And he and Hampton have gotten both starts in the preseason.

Not a big fan of Nick Hampton.Mcvay is though,but Joe Coniglio should have the biggest say.

 

[Legatron4]

I'm excited about Stewart, too. I said when he was drafted that I see him replacing Young....maybe not right away but eventually.

I wasn't Brennan Jackson was gonna make the 53 cut, but his chances are better now with the Keir Thomas injury. I heard Thomas had a strong camp. And he and Hampton have gotten both starts in the preseason.

I love Byron Young but I don’t think it’s a good idea to extend him. We have too many mouths to feed coming up and will also be making Verse the highest paid OLB most likely. So I agree that Stewart is most likely his replacement.

 

[muggmeister]

I love Byron Young but I don’t think it’s a good idea to extend him. We have too many mouths to feed coming up and will also be making Verse the highest paid OLB most likely. So I agree that Stewart is most likely his replacement.

Agreed, a lot of mouths to feed. However, if Young were to explode with say, 15 sacks, then it becomes another discussion. Not a bad problem to have, too much talent on your roster is a good thing.

 

[fanotodd]

I love Byron Young but I don’t think it’s a good idea to extend him. We have too many mouths to feed coming up and will also be making Verse the highest paid OLB most likely. So I agree that Stewart is most likely his replacement.

It would be wise to see how this season unfolds before considering who the Rams extend/re-sign.
Prices go up if the Rams win the SB.

 

[So Ram]

Agreed, a lot of mouths to feed. However, if Young were to explode with say, 15 sacks, then it becomes another discussion. Not a bad problem to have, too much talent on your roster is a good thing.

B.Jackson is running around being aggressive,the thing that might happen as well is B.Young might want a extended contract.

Same with Puka next year,SO the purse strings will have to be opened.

 

[CoachAllred]

I'm excited about Stewart, too. I said when he was drafted that I see him replacing Young....maybe not right away but eventually.

I wasn't Brennan Jackson was gonna make the 53 cut, but his chances are better now with the Keir Thomas injury. I heard Thomas had a strong camp. And he and Hampton have gotten both starts in the preseason.

I read somewhere that Stewart was originally drafted to offset the loss of Michael Hoecht
and to play in Hoecht's position when the Rams go to the 5 man rush cheetah package.

That means Stewart in that package could line up as a middle LB or standing up at various
spots along the line. He would be either rushing or dropping into coverage.

But then again they could have someone else in mind for the role.
It's a formation that Brandon Staley ran, but Morris didn't and now Shula
has brought it back in the fold.

Wouldn't mind seeing Brennan playing the run downs in place of Young.
He has high motor and great size for a OLB run stopper.

This is all guess work, of course I haven't seen but a few Def. training camp plays
But it's still enjoyable to talk about the Rams depth chart. I love it
And I can't wait to see some of these first-second year guys surprise us.