Rams’ young guns looking to make a statement on Monday Night Football.
In recent years, the once draft-shy Los Angeles Rams have become masters of the draft.
In my last column, I highlighted how the Rams’ defense is built almost entirely of homegrown draft picks. Of these, only Jared Verse – the Rams’ first-round pick in 2023 – was selected in the first round, their first such pick since 2016.
Following the departure of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, many expected the Rams to struggle defensively.
However, General Manager Les Snead has strategically exchanged high-profile talent for draft depth.
In past years, the Rams traded picks for veteran players like Von Miller and spent substantial cap space on stars like Bobby Wagner. Now, Snead has taken a different approach, using the draft to strengthen their defense with promising talent.
Key players like Braden Fiske, Cobie Durant, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Quentin Lake, Tyler Davis, and Michael Hoecht have all made substantial contributions to the Rams’ defensive success.
This approach has improved the Rams’ overall performance and positioned Snead as a strong NFL’s Executive of the Year candidate.
According to Next Gen Stats, the Rams lead the league with a 42.8% pressure rate on opposing dropbacks. They also rank eighth in team sack rate, at 7.8%.
New defensive coordinator Chris Shula must take some credit as well as the Rams’ coaching staff.
This relentless pressure has led to multiple critical turnovers, as seen when safety Kamren Kinchens returned an interception for a 103-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
Improved first-down defense has also been a key factor for the Rams. LA regularly forces opponents into difficult third-and-long situations where their pass rush can excel.
As they prepare to face the high-powered Miami Dolphins offense tonight, the Rams’ young defensive line — bolstered by individual and collective growth — aims to maintain this momentum.
No longer is it ‘F them picks’; the Rams love them picks!
