Why Bengals Carl Lawson should be on the LA Rams radar

If you haven’t noticed, the LA Rams are projected to lose another pair of starting outside linebackers to free agency in 2021. While the Rams waived veteran OLB Clay Matthews in 2020, they have taken no such action in 2021. Still, the Rams are expected to lose both starting outside linebackers: Leonard Floyd and Samson Ebukam, this year.

Now the question becomes, who will take their place?

Well, the Rams are sitting on Terrell Lewis, Justin Hollins, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. While all three are younger players, Obo appears ready to start on the edge in 2021.  That leaves the Rams in need of a veteran who can play the position, but who can recede into a rotational role if necessary if one of their younger players gets hot.  So the Rams want a mid-priced player who can start, but who can also play significant-quality snaps off the bench.

I think I may know just the guy.

Lawson is coming off his rookie contract from the Cincinnati Bengals and has the potential to be the third link in the chain of edge players who tout career-best numbers playing next to LA Rams Aaron Donald. Now the question is, can Lawson play at outside linebacker on an odd-man front? Well, John Acree of the CincyJungle.com certainly thought so in 2017.

And he was correct, Lawson was tasked with some pass coverage in 2018 through 2020. All in all, he was targeted 13 times and allowed ten completions. Where he truly shines is the ability to get to the quarterback. In a rotational role, he’s already gotten 20 sacks.  For comparison purposes, Floyd allowed 26 of 32 passes to find their target. As a starter, he had just 18.5 sacks in four seasons with the Chicago Bears.

Lawson has all the right stuff to be a target for the Rams this year. He’s at the cusp of breaking out and already has some buzz about him. If he signs with the Rams for a year, he can weather the fiscal frugality storm of 2021, bolster his stats to career highs, and be one of the top-paid players in 2022.

The 6-foot-2 265-pound Edge rusher has certainly been a bright spot on an otherwise lackluster Bengals defense. As such, he’s raised the question for many NFL teams over whether he has what it takes to jump to the next level. That same jump occurred for Dante Fowler Jr. and for Leonard Floyd. Now? It could Carl Lawson’s turn. If he signs an affordable one-year deal with the Rams in 2021, that could raise his market price by many millions for next season.

Perhaps the LA Rams should not be calling his agent when the legal tampering period begins on March 17. Rather, if they are wise, both Carl Lawson and his agent should be calling the Rams about a spot on the team in 2021. Much like hitting the lottery, when it comes to hitting a big contract, the first stop is the LA Rams. You’ve got to play, to win.