12 days of Christmas winners for the LA Rams in a Week 16 win over the Jets

(7) - ILB Christian Rozeboom

Some players have a longer than expected learning curve to achieve their optimal level of production in the NFL. But undrafted veteran inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom has pushed the boundaries of slow-to-develop to an entirely new level. Still, it's not nearly important how he got there, simply that he got there. I can say without hesitancy that ILB Christian Rozeboom has arrived.

Christian Rozeboom is not an All-Pro. But the team certainly dug a huge hole for the defense by trading away veteran ILB Ernest Jones just before the start of the 2024 NFL season. That compelled the team to start veteran ILB Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom side by side. But difficulties with that early configuration soon surfaced. But Reeder and Rozeboom played passively, neither player plugging holes, meeting running backs head on, shedding blockers, or being particularly effective at making tackles.

At least, not until Reeder was injured, and ILB Omar Speights lined up next to him.

It seems that the promotion of undrafted LSU rookie inside linebacker Omay Speights has not only had the benefit of inserting a run-stuffer into this defense, but Speights has aided Rozeboom in leveling up by complementing his skill sets with an entirely different array of skills. After all, it's not who records a tackle for a loss, simply that someone does. It's not who makes the tackle, sheds blockers, or disrupts a pass, simply that someone does.

Rozeboom has incredible lateral range, and is a solid pass covering linebacker. But he is not effective at stuffing runs, often getting plowed over as a caravan of offensive linemen surround a running back. Speights busts through like a bowling ball to bowling pins. That keeps Rozeboom focused on what he does best. So far, Rozeboom has recorded 129 tackles (career high), 1.0 QB sack (career high), five tackles for a loss (career high) and four deflected passes (tie for career high).

Rozeboom put up nine tackles in Week 16. He is having an outstanding NFL season.