LA Rams news: Defensive line will determine 2020 success

LA Rams news: Defensive line appears to be stronger than ever in 2020, and will likely determine the team’s fortunes

The LA Rams line play has been a hot topic among sportswriters and fans so far in the early part of the 2020 NFL season. But until now, the discussion has been all about the offensive line. While we will likely have more of those discussions throughout the year, it’s time to share the spotlight with the defensive line of the Rams.

While the attention of all has been pointed elsewhere, the Rams have quietly improved the defensive line into what may be one of the strongest versions yet in recent years. After the Rams added strongman A’Shawn Robinson, the team re-signed Michael Brockers.  All the while, two young linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines prepare to assume a much larger role alongside All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald.  They are joined by veteran defensive linemen Marquise Copeland, and defensive ends Tanzel Smart,

Finally, the Rams signed three defensive linemen as undrafted free agents. The team added UT San Antonio’s defensive end Eric Banks, University of Minnesota’s defensive tackle Sam Renner, Brown University’s defensive tackle Mike Hoecht, and Weber State’s defensive end Jonah Williams.

While we sort through all of the new additions, we can form one conclusion. The LA Rams defensive line appears to be much improved over last season. The Rams suddenly have renewed the emphasis on the line which lost two restricted free agents in defensive end Morgan Fox and outside linebacker Josh Carraway is mildly surprising.

So who are these new faces on the defense front? Let’s give a quick review.

Defensive linemen

UT San Antonio defensive end Eric Banks is a 6-foot-5 270-pound defensive end who has ties with LA Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson, who coached Banks in 2016. In 2019, Banks registered 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and had two sacks. While he will likely have an uphill battle for playing time, he could carve out a niche on special teams, as well as secure a spot to develop on the Rams’ practice squad this year.

Minnesota defensive lineman Sam Renner may have a better shot of making the team. He is 6-foot-4 and 275-pounds, suitable size and weight which allows him the versatility to slide between defensive tackle and defensive end.  While he played just two seasons of football due to injury, he had a solid senior season.  Not only did he record 43 tackles and five sacks, but he also defended four passes. That was good enough to get noticed by Pro Football Focus

Again, he has an uphill battle to make the roster. But if he can shine on special teams, look for the Rams to include him either on the 55-man roster or on the practice team.

Oh, Canada!

Rams defensive lineman Michael Hoecht may be an undrafted free agent for the Rams, but he already has a plan B as the 10th overall pick of the second round to play for the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks. But I have a strong feeling that he’ll find a way to stick around on the Rams’ roster. Despite a 6-foot-4 295-pound frame, he reported registered a 4.65-second 40-yard dash time. That’s truly a blazing speed for a player of his size. That time would make him the third-fastest edge/defensive lineman at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

His reputation is so widespread, even NFL analyst Ian Rappaport weighed in on his signing.

A player of Hoecht’s size with that speed gives the Rams a ton of options. While he played defensive lineman, he did have a background as running back. That means the Rams could opt to slot Hoecht as a defensive lineman, on special teams, or as a secret weapon on the offense as the anticipated fullback. After all, his 40-yard dash time equaled that of running back Zack Moss.

Still, the Rams cannot overlook the fact that he registered 158 tackles and 17 quarterback sacks. Not only did he run quickly, but he put up 23 reps on the bench press. He is a solid strength and speed athlete who will be awfully competitive to make the team this year.

Weber state wunderkind

Weber State defensive end Jonah Williams was featured in our six UDFA signings spotlight article recently. After all, he is a 6-foot-5, 280-pound rookie who combines incredible speed (a 4.65-second 40-yard dash time) with strength (30 reps on the 225-pound bench press). In short, he could be a huge addition to the LA Rams special teams at a minimum.

Williams selected Weber State purely on the scholarship offered. Larger football programs like Utah State or Boise State balked at offering Williams a football scholarship upon learning of his commitment to serve on a two-year mission. Weber State did so, and the rest is history.

Despite his size, strength, and speed, William has an excellent team-play perspective seldom-seen in NFL rookies.

"“You get gassed playing selfishly,” he said. “Doing things for each other is how you establish a dominant defense. It’s always me trying to get pressure so the defensive backs get interceptions, and them holding down coverages so we can get sacks. We just play for each other.”-as reported by Colton Clark of the Lewiston Tribune"

Williams, although from a small football program, plays large and tall on defense. He is incredibly athletic for a big man, and his pro-day stats would have placed him among the best at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. That type of elite athleticism is exactly what the Rams seek to refurbish their special teams play in 2020. Combined with his strong athleticism is his ability to play a versatile role on defense. he can play defensive lineman, edge rusher, or even surprise and drop back into pass coverage. So he is an ideal rookie to add to the roster for both Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego and Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley.

The Rams may have only added numbers to the defensive line in 2020, but the quality of the undrafted free agents is such that they have a chance of making enough of an impression to earn playing time on special teams or to develop on the team’s practice squad.