Transforming LA Rams defense to 4-3 could solve these 3 nagging problems

Rams are running out of inside linebackers

The Rams started the season with just four players earmarked to play inside linebacker in their 3-4 defense, and by the time that the season ended, just two were healthy. While the Rams certainly do play plenty of defensive sub-packages, the fact that they fielded the bare minimum to play their base defense was short-sighted.

If the Rams preferred to run a 3-3-5 or a 3-2-6 defense, then do so and stockpile the appropriate players and positions on the roster. But the Rams seemed to have played themselves throughout the entire season. Despite a 3-4 defensive alignment, one that calls for three defensive linemen, three or four linebackers, and four to six defensive backs, the Rams had a small army of defensive linemen at the ready.

Yes, some contributed on special teams. But linebackers are better suited for open field tackling on coverage teams. And the Rams were not nearly as deep at defensive backs nor linebackers as defensive linemen on their developmental practice squad. The Rams currently have four players signed to a reserve/futures contract. They are Eric Banks, Marquise Copeland, Michael Hoecht, and Jonah Williams. Only one linebacker, Christian Rozeboom is signed to a reserve/futures contract.

The team is running out of inside linebackers, simply because the team does not invest in inside linebackers.  The Rams had invested one late draft pick on the position in each of the past two years. But in the process of cutting those rookies to re-sign them to the practice squad, other teams have scooped them up in two consecutive seasons.

The Rams allowed the linebacker position to fall to critical mass because linebackers coach Joe Barry was able to replenish the ranks the following season from developmental ranks. But the pipeline is exhausted once more. And the Rams do not have enough players on the roster to play a 3-4 defense next year.