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

Round 7, pick 234

Finally, with the 234th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the LA Rams added their first linebacker by selecting Clay Johnston, inside linebacker, from Baylor University. Many expected interior linebackers to be selected prior to round seven, but the Rams had limited draft picks and more urgent roster needs. By round seven, the team was ready to roster the middle of the defense, and there was a highly productive but recently injured Johnston.

He is 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 227-pounds. He’s a highly talented linebacker, perhaps one of the reasons for the Baylor Bears’ football team’s quick rise to national prominence. He made plays, directed traffic, and was always moving, thinking, and working on defense to make plays. But he suffered an injury in a season where medical flags were enough to drop talented prospects right out of the draft. So the news of his selection came after he had accepted the belief that he would not be drafted, and his reaction was legendary.

Post-selection impressions

Ramblin’ Fan contributor Larry Brake truly liked the pick. Not only did he see Johnston as better than his round seven selection might suggest, he even stated that Johnston would push hard for playing time this year. That sentiment was echoed by retired safety Eric Weddle. Noah Schlaebitz projects Johnston’s professional career somewhere between veterans Danny Trevathan and Bryce Hager.

What about Staley? From the Stu Jackson article, he spoke briefly about linebacker Johnston:

"“He’s probably going to be known for his reaction to being drafted for now, but hopefully we’ll be getting him to playing some good football. But just the makeup, being a coach’s son, being part of that transformation of Baylor and that team becoming a national program, he’s an impressive guy to talk football with and hopefully we can get his knee healthy.”"

Staley is not an easy guy to impress with football knowledge. But Johnston already has. That will open the door for Johnston to remain with the team – whether active roster or practice squad. The difference-maker? Will Johnston be ready to step onto the field for training camp later this month? We’ll learn the answer to that one in less than three weeks.