LA Rams: 8 players who could be gone after the 2021 NFL season

Thumper inside linebacker

The LA Rams have not invested a great deal into the inside linebacker position, because it was a role on the team’s defense that could be handled by virtually anyone. When we examined the evolution of the nose tackle role on the Rams defense, we uncovered the revelation that the Rams defensive scheme asks so very little of the inside linebacker, compared to other defensive schemes.

In 2020, even the defensive play-calling was transferred for all intents and purposes to veteran safety John Johnson III. That created two problems for the LA Rams 2021 defense. First and foremost, who will get the green dot in 2021, now that JJIII has signed on with the Cleveland Browns? Secondly, what will the Rams need to do if they plan to restore a more traditional inside linebacker role to this defense?  Well, we’ll have our answer soon enough.

Micah Kiser is scheduled to also test the NFL Free Agency market in 2020, alongside three other teammates who happen to play the inside linebacker position for the team. While there is an argument to be made over the fact that the LA Rams front office cannot possibly accept losing all four players from one position simultaneously, there is an equal and opposite argument that the Rams cannot possibly hope to re-sign more than one of the outbound veterans. Micah Kiser’s chances do not look good in a field of four.

Troy Reeder showed more on the field in 2020. Kenny Young has more diverse NFL experience. Travin Howard is the guy that many are very high on. Micah Kiser, after all is said and done, was well suited for the 2020 role. That does not appear to be the case for 2021, and the Rams’ decision to draft Ernest Jones appears to confirm that. Kiser has a right to get paid and to seek out the best chance of doing so. The Rams do not cut big checks for inside linebackers and appear to have diminished Kiser’s chances this year.