3 underrated FA ILBs the LA Rams should chase down

Question of the Day:  If you told me the LA Rams were to re-sign free agent New York Jets inside linebacker Bryce Hager, what would your response be?

First, you’d ask, you mean the same Bryce Hager who once played for us?

Yep, the same guy.

I mean, I guess the Rams would know his strengths. . . and his limitations better than most other teams.

Wait, I do remember this one play when he was with the Rams where we played the Cowboys in the 2018 postseason and he came up and stuffed burly running back ‘Zeke Elliott right at the goal line. Stood him up. I remember that play.

But I dunno. If the scales tipped toward the team letting him go and moving on from Hager before, what’s changed about him now, and a year later, too?  How many 28-year old linebackers get better as they age in this league?

Familiarity

Then again, Hager would know the Rams’ system, knows the 3-4, all the defensive calls. Wouldn’t have much of a learning curve to get up to speed again, unlike somebody else from another team we might bring in, or a kid out of college we might draft.

And the Rams really do need linebacking help, rotational depth at that position.

What does his stat line look like last year for the Jets? Hmmm, only played in 10 games, but he had one monster game toward the end of their season against the Browns where he had 10 tackles, five solo tackles, a tackle for a loss and a pass batted down when they beat ’em 23-16.

And he plays special teams, that’s a plus. Had 24 special teams tackles in his first four seasons with the Rams. And he signed last year for the Jets for under a million, bargain-priced. Might be a good rotational player, bring some depth.  Could be a useful addition to the squad because he’s a good special teamer.

And he signed last year for the Jets for under a million, so he’s bargain-priced.

Let’s pick up the phone.