Why LA Rams should kick tires on LB Joe Schobert in free agency

The LA Rams vacancies at linebacker reach critical mass in 2020 with three starters departing. One player worthy of a look is former Browns linebacker, Joe Schobert

Soon-to-be free agent linebacker Joe “The Show” Schobert’s name alone should give enough reason to consider him for the LA Rams roster for the 2020 NFL season.  But Joe Schobert does more than land a catchy game nickname.  The guy can play hard, play fast, and play all game long. And that would be a great way to debut at SoFi stadium in 2020.

The Rams are up to their ears in linebacker issues this offseason, with interest in re-signing both edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. and inside linebacker Cory Littleton.  With not enough available money today, there is a mixture of hope on the Rams delivering on that interest combined with the pragmatic acceptance of alternatives at the position.

So we believe the Rams should be open to other opportunities created by linebackers projected to enter the free agency market.  One such player is Joe Schobert, who is not projected to return to the Cleveland Browns due to his expected 2020 NFL Free Agency market value of over $10 million.
Coincidentally, both Littleton and Fowler Jr. are expected to be at or above the market’s top price in this year’s free agency.  Schobert, from the Rams perspective, is actually a bargain.

Schobert is a stud on defense, through and through.  He had averaged over 126 tackles per season in the last three years. While he has some improvement to make in pass defense, he hauled in four interceptions in 2019.

Schobert would be a good fit in the Rams defense under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Despite coming out of a 4-3 defensive alignment, he has played both outside and inside linebacker roles at the NFL level. He flourished in the NFL when he was moved to the middle of the defense. An article by FanSided Factory of Sadness writer Chad Porto confirms the belief that Schobert can transition easily to the 3-4.  With the ability to transition, the experience in the 4-3, and the versatility to play both inside and outside linebacker, Schobert could fill the Rams’ defense needs for a swiss army knife defender.

With the LA Rams franchise tag of Fowler Jr. at $16.3 million and Littleton’s market price on or about $14 million, Schobert’s projected price at $10 million/year seems like a great deal for the Rams to consider. The team should not, and can not, win in a bidding war. Right now, many teams have expressed interest in paying whatever it takes to sign either Littleton or Fowler in 2020.

That isn’t to say that Schobert is a consolation prize. He’s played in an incredibly effective manner for four seasons, without the benefit of a teammate like DT Aaron Donald.  Playing behind Donald could raise the bar, and the curtain, for “The Show” in 2020.