3 free agent defenders LA Rams must look at in next 72 hours

Outside linebacker

Some may not view veteran Mychal Kendricks as much of a contributor to the roster as an outside linebacker. And you may be right. After all, he played in just one game in 2020 for the Washington Football team. The rest of the time? He was either rehabbing or spending time on the practice squad.  That’s the bad news.

But for the good news? Kendricks is a veteran versatile linebacker who can fill in at any of the four Rams linebacking positions, he can do that well enough to be part of the defensive rotation, and he can even slide into the lineup to absorb an occasional start as well. Kendricks has been a veteran of nine NFL seasons, and he still has plenty of juice left in the tank.

NFL teams may think otherwise, which is one of the reasons to kick the tires on this savvy veteran. We know that the LA Rams have boosted the careers of linebackers to renew interest in their careers. We call it the Aaron-Donald effect. NFL players call it a blessing because it renews interest in their careers due to a sudden spike in production.

5-foot-11 240-pound Kendricks is one of those players who would likely jump at a chance to play for the LA Rams defense. His career could certainly use a B-12 shot, and the LA Rams figure to be a contender this year. He could be signed for a one-year $850,000 contract.

Kendricks can reinforce the Rams at both the outside and inside linebacker positions. Just like Breeland, if he outplays his contract, the next NFL team will pay for that production. If he underwhelms, no great damage to the LA Rams. But what about an inside linebacker?