How will LA Rams DC Brandon Staley deploy 4 rookies on D?

Round 3, pick 84

When the LA Rams used the 84th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft to select Terrell Lewis, an outside linebacker from the University of Alabama, it was as though the Rams had an extra second-round pick.  In many mock drafts, Lewis came off the board long before the Rams stepped up to make a selection. Yet somehow, in the actual draft, Lewis fell past the Rams twice before the team finally chose him at 84.

I would have been delighted if the Rams had chosen him at 52, so the euphoria when they picked Lewis at 84 was pretty noticeable. After all, the guy is ripped at 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds. He has an amazing wingspan and can play in a two-point or three-point stance. When he was on the field, he flashed NFL-edge-rusher brilliance. When he was injured, he wasn’t on the field. And there was the reason he dropped to the Rams in round three.

Post-selection impressions

Ramblin Fan contributor Larry Brake feels that the LA Rams may have found their pass-rusher of the future. Contributor Manuel Harari loved the pick, despite Tyler Biadasz still on the board at that selection.  Finally, contributor Noah Schlaebitz believes Lewis will fall somewhere between veteran Justin Houston or Nick Perry.

What about Brandon Staley?  From the Stu Jackson article, he had this to say:

"“I think you guys are probably aware of his talent. His talent is not indicative of where he was drafted, but we’re excited about the skill set he brings to the table, and hopefully, we can get his best football. I think it’s still ahead of him. I think he’s still a developing player, but from a skillset standpoint, he’s what you’re looking for in an outside rusher.”"

Keep in mind that Staley has deep experience with excellent NFL outside linebackers. So Lewis will likely be a very good one.