LA Rams Top 5 positional rankings: Defense edition

Interior defensive linemen

1.- Derrick Brown (Auburn): Brown is an intelligent player and a good one as well. For his size (6-foot-5 326-pounds) he is enormously athletic. Polished interior rusher that will be a wrecking force in both the passing and running game. Polished, yet with a high ceiling to keep getting better. He has the potential to be top 5 in the league while playing his rookie contract. He might be one of the best players with an as little rumble as I can remember.

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2.- Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina): Kinlaw needs to go a longer route in order to achieve his full potential. He is a force in the running game and will be hard to block, his first-step quickness is off the charts. Might start slow in the NFL, but I believe he will get better as he gathers a greater feeling of the game and gains a better mental processing ability. He could and should be a force to be reckoned with, sooner rather than later.

3.- Ross Blacklock (TCU): With Blacklock, I learned that the quality players at IDL in 2020 is just off the charts. Yet another monstrous prospect, with elite quickness, that can be disruptive beyond the point of attack. He needs to polish his run defense, and learn how to hit different gaps. Hands usage is elite and his inside pass-rushing abilities are as good as any on this list.

4.- Justin Madubuike (Texas A&M): Justin is an athletic defender that, when concentrated and committed, will be a quality contributor for his team. He has a “slender” frame, but massive power and quickness. Pass-rushing motor is good and should do the same in pursuit-plays. He needs polishing early in his career but can be a starter in his first couple of seasons.

5.- Marlon Davidson (Auburn): Standing in the shadow of Derrick Brown might not be easy, but Davidson took the most out of it. A four-year starter that is a force in not two but three faces of the game. Davidson is an all-around defender with good specs versus the run and pas; he also collected three blocked kicks last season. A true competitor who has yet to breakout.