LA Rams news: Vols LB Daniel Bituli to compete for role on ST or D

LA Rams news: GM Les Snead continues to add talent, now signing Tennessee LB Daniel Bituli to the roster as an undrafted free agent

It was no secret that the LA Rams sought to help the linebacker position in the 2020 offseason. Not only did the team lose four starters via free agency in Clay Matthews, Dante Fowler Jr., Cory Littleton, and Bryce Hager, but the team parted ways with RFA Josh Carraway as well. Finally, the team parted ways with LB Jeff Holland, a player recently signed to a futures reserve contract in January 2020.

That last player release created another roster opening, one which the University of Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli is more than happy to fill.

Bituli is a solid linebacker, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 246 pounds. While he had a solid collegiate career, amassing 247 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-losses, and four quarterback sacks, he suffered a knee injury early in his senior season which likely drove him off many NFL teams’ draft boards due to medical red flags. According to 247Sports.com Wes Rucker, several teams had indicated that Bituli had a mid-to-late-round draft grade before the medical flag appeared.

Despite the after-the-fact upgrade to Bituli’s stock, he warrants a shot with the LA Rams due to his versatility.  While he was the starting inside linebacker for three years at Tenessee, he also demonstrated the ability to line up on the outside, as well as shine on special teams.

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It was Bituli’s knee that warned people away, so it would be the receipt of a clean bill of health which convinced the Rams to act now. That knee had surgery which prevented him from playing in the first two games of the season, but he did return to lead the team in tackles for his third consecutive year.  Bituli’s draft profile describes him as a throwback physical run-stopping linebacker. He is a field general, a player who takes charge of the defense and enforces good alignment to the called play.

Despite the deep and heated competition at linebacker, Daniel Bituli has a chance to make the LA Rams roster because he is a run stopper. As the Rams have added hybrid safety-cornerbacks to the roster to flex and disguise coverages, the team will still need strong run defense from the interior linebacker.  That means a stronger, more physical player who assumes the primary run-thumper.

Bituli will certainly fill the blocks for that type of player. And he will compete as a special teams player as well. The Draft Network draft profile describes Bituli as a platoon style player, one who must be pulled off the field for passing downs. At first, I interpreted this as a detractor. But thinking further, that run defense specialization may work to his benefit.

Competition at linebacker is wide open this year. While there are many players who start with more familiarity with the team, players, and coaching staff, none are locked into roster spots just yet. That means competition for playing time at linebacker will be red hot this summer. While that means uncertainty for fans today, it will mean the Rams defense will be ready to play football this year.