LA Rams News: OLB Leonard Floyd leads surprising LB surge in 2020

Upside II –  OLB Lewis is athletically gifted for the edge

Rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis is an athletic freak who will eventually dominate from the edge. So gifted, in fact, that the projections for him start at very good and run up to elite as an NFL pass rusher. Of course, projections are crystal ball versions of the future. That can be whatever we want it to be. So let’s go with some facts:

Lewis is 6-foot-5 and weighs 262-pounds. He is just 21 years old but has a wingspan that exceeds 83-inches which is a phenomenal reach for an edge rusher. So good, in fact, are his dimensions alone that he joins rather elite company – Jadaveon Clowney.  Surprisingly, that fact has not been discussed much.  In fact, most reports indicate that Lewis can be good if he stays healthy. Just for chuckles, let’s assume he stays healthy. How good can he be?

Lewis’ potential just pops

Much like Clowney joining the Houston Texans in 2014 with star defensive lineman J.J. Watt, Lewis is joining the LA Rams with star defensive lineman Aaron Donald.  Clowney’s first season was an injury-shortened effort, but his stock rose rapidly as he played both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Texans.   Is that the route of Lewis’ career track?  Perhaps, but most likely not.

The Rams like Lewis in Dante Fowler Jr.’s spot. And at two-inches taller, about ten pounds heavier, and a longer wingspan, the Rams like the chances of matching Fowler’s production down the road. Of course, Lewis will need to get some defensive snaps, and will likely see a gradually increasing number in the rotation. Even if Lewis doesn’t see much action until the second half of this NFL season, he could still put up 5.0 sacks and 30 tackles. That will be a huge plus for the Rams this year.