LA Rams: 3 Defensive players playing for their big payday in 2021

Samson Ebukam will have wreck havoc on defense

OLB Samson Ebukam is the back up to Dante Fowler on the current unofficial depth chart. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Ebukam has started 21 games for the Rams.

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Since his rookie season, he has made 118 total tackles with 13 of them for lost yardage. Ebukam has collected 9.5 sacks. He has one intercepted pass for a touchdown. Dante Fowler Jr.’s free agency situation will ultimately determine his standing with the Rams organization.

Right now, it’s a logical conclusion that OLB Fowler signs elsewhere. Ebukam will have a chance to step into that starting job. To do so, his play will be the deciding factor. Right now, he must elevate his game to earn the starting role.

In 2019, Fowler had 11.5 sacks and added 58 total tackles. There will be a huge void to fill if Fowler leaves the Rams. Ebukam must prove that he can generate pressure on the quarterback, while not compromising run defense, and he must do so throughout the season on a weekly basis. There is a fine line between good talent and average talent. Ebukam will have to show LA that he is a good enough talent to warrant keeping him on the payroll.

The Rams have had winning records with the class of 2017. They have won 33 games and lost 15 games with one Super Bowl appearance. This class was a very strong draft class for LA.

Here is the next defensive player who needs to perform well in 2020.