LA Rams DL talent still overflowing for 2021

Taking inventory – Who is left?

The Rams have one of the most dominating defensive linemen in the NFL in All-Pro Aaron Donald. He is a wrecking ball, the type of player who can single-handedly dominate so vigorously that the opposing offense is left in disarray and disbelief. You can bet he will be back with a vengeance in 2021.

Next to him will be the rising star of the Rams defensive front. Nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 310-pounds, SJD made a huge leap forward in 2020, playing fewer snaps but getting far more tackles. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, He showed up large and in charge in 2020, ensuring that he would claim the starting nose tackle role.  He was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the defense in 2020.

Of course, NT Greg Gaines showed up big and bold in 2020 as well. The young man showed an increasing role on the defense, but perhaps proved his mettle in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs when he saw 20 defensive snaps, but managed two key tackles and one tackle for a loss on the day.

In theory, the Rams have all four defensive linemen who can line up over center as nose tackles now with A’Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph Day, Greg Gaines, and Aaron Donald. But I do not believe that Gaines fits outside of the defensive interior. That means that the team will rely upon Donald, Day, and Robinson to start on the outside, with Gaines as the reserve nose tackle.

So now, the Rams need to come up with defensive linemen who can fill in at the defensive end. Two roster spots, now who wants them?