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It is my understanding that the CBA calls for the roster increase to coincide with the increase in the length of the regular season which is due to happen in 2021, not this year. Everything I've seen indicates that the roster will remain at 53 this year with the usual number of game day actives. The additional two active players on gamedays would in turn coincide with the roster increase so again next year.
Wade Philips normally pulled the NT to bring in the nickel. But they signed Robinson who is a 3 down NT. IMO Staley will pull one of the ILBs to bring in his NCB and dime DB. Of the ILBs Young has the most experience in coverage so it's more likely Staley pulls the MIKE since Young is like having a 3rd safety with his build and speed (6'1", 234 lbs, 4.6 in the 40). Because of Young's metrics if he plays well in coverage they might not have to bring in a NCB and if they do it's going to be like playing in a dime with the coverages Staley can play. I think it was a mistake by Phillips in not using Young's skill set last year, opting to play less capable players leading to mismatches in his coverages.
This is what is going to make this defense unique. They will have a core of players who are versatile. LBs with speed and who can cover or set hard edges or be that thumper in the middle. It will allow Staley to play multiple plays out of similar looks with the same players in much the same way McVay used his offense in 2018. Same look, same players, but different plays with the opposition having to take that moment to read the play. That second is often the crucial difference on both sides of the ball. How many sacks happen because a QB holds that ball 3 seconds instead of 2.5 seconds?
I don't think Brockers will move inside to rotate with AD. I think Gaines who is underrated by people on this board will fill that role. Underrated because he played much better than SJD who simply could not get shed blocks. That has always been SJDs problem. He showed he's stronger now but he still can't stack and shed and simply gets moved out of the way. Go ahead and break down his play and Gaines comes out better.
But also there are a couple of UDFAs who potentially could be a surprise at 3T. Michael Hoecht and the other is Jonah Williams. Both are quicker than Brockers and though Williams is a bit light it's quickness and strength that wins at 3T more than a simple bull rush which is all Brockers brings. Williams posted 30 reps at his bench press and 4.67 speed and at 6'5" 275 lbs, with a 9'7" broad jump and he's not a small man. Williams has the size, speed, quickness, explosiveness, and strength to play a 3T. His metrics are eerily similar to AD's combine results. AD weighed in at 285 lbs, ran a 4.68, broad jumped 9'8" and did 35 reps. So for those who think Williams is too small to play inside think again. IMO Williams can play 3T, 5T or SAM. I still believe however, that Williams will be groomed to replace Ebukam at SAM if they are not able to re-sign him. Brockers lacks the overall athleticism that the "new" Rams covet. He's a place holder and with guys like Lewis, Williams and Hoecht his clock is ticking down. Okoronkwo is also someone sitting on a bubble as his play thus far only highlighted his limitations, i.e. lack of overall athleticism.
Hoecht on the other hand hasn't reached AD's level of strength, few do, but he's not weak by any means. His broad jump shows he's got the explosiveness you want inside. He wasn't drafted primarily because of the level of competition he faced in college makes it hard to evaluate his real abilities. But he tested well so he definitely has the athleticism the Rams covet. The only problem I have with Hoecht is that it's hard to evaluate his play from game films. But the one negative impression is that he doesn't seem to play to his tested speed. But there are several different factors that could mitigate that so only actual on field play will really determine it. Williams on the other hand has the game film that validates his pro day tests.
Wade Philips normally pulled the NT to bring in the nickel. But they signed Robinson who is a 3 down NT. IMO Staley will pull one of the ILBs to bring in his NCB and dime DB. Of the ILBs Young has the most experience in coverage so it's more likely Staley pulls the MIKE since Young is like having a 3rd safety with his build and speed (6'1", 234 lbs, 4.6 in the 40). Because of Young's metrics if he plays well in coverage they might not have to bring in a NCB and if they do it's going to be like playing in a dime with the coverages Staley can play. I think it was a mistake by Phillips in not using Young's skill set last year, opting to play less capable players leading to mismatches in his coverages.
This is what is going to make this defense unique. They will have a core of players who are versatile. LBs with speed and who can cover or set hard edges or be that thumper in the middle. It will allow Staley to play multiple plays out of similar looks with the same players in much the same way McVay used his offense in 2018. Same look, same players, but different plays with the opposition having to take that moment to read the play. That second is often the crucial difference on both sides of the ball. How many sacks happen because a QB holds that ball 3 seconds instead of 2.5 seconds?
I don't think Brockers will move inside to rotate with AD. I think Gaines who is underrated by people on this board will fill that role. Underrated because he played much better than SJD who simply could not get shed blocks. That has always been SJDs problem. He showed he's stronger now but he still can't stack and shed and simply gets moved out of the way. Go ahead and break down his play and Gaines comes out better.
But also there are a couple of UDFAs who potentially could be a surprise at 3T. Michael Hoecht and the other is Jonah Williams. Both are quicker than Brockers and though Williams is a bit light it's quickness and strength that wins at 3T more than a simple bull rush which is all Brockers brings. Williams posted 30 reps at his bench press and 4.67 speed and at 6'5" 275 lbs, with a 9'7" broad jump and he's not a small man. Williams has the size, speed, quickness, explosiveness, and strength to play a 3T. His metrics are eerily similar to AD's combine results. AD weighed in at 285 lbs, ran a 4.68, broad jumped 9'8" and did 35 reps. So for those who think Williams is too small to play inside think again. IMO Williams can play 3T, 5T or SAM. I still believe however, that Williams will be groomed to replace Ebukam at SAM if they are not able to re-sign him. Brockers lacks the overall athleticism that the "new" Rams covet. He's a place holder and with guys like Lewis, Williams and Hoecht his clock is ticking down. Okoronkwo is also someone sitting on a bubble as his play thus far only highlighted his limitations, i.e. lack of overall athleticism.
Hoecht on the other hand hasn't reached AD's level of strength, few do, but he's not weak by any means. His broad jump shows he's got the explosiveness you want inside. He wasn't drafted primarily because of the level of competition he faced in college makes it hard to evaluate his real abilities. But he tested well so he definitely has the athleticism the Rams covet. The only problem I have with Hoecht is that it's hard to evaluate his play from game films. But the one negative impression is that he doesn't seem to play to his tested speed. But there are several different factors that could mitigate that so only actual on field play will really determine it. Williams on the other hand has the game film that validates his pro day tests.
