Is Justin Hollins the latest waiver wonder for LA Rams?

The LA Rams have made it a point to rummage through the waiver wires of other teams and do so rather successfully. One immediate example is that of defensive back Darious Williams, who was claimed off the waiver wire of the Baltimore Ravens, who has become a star cornerback in the Rams defense.

All through his 2020 training camp, outside linebacker Justin Hollins didn’t have a clue what the LA Rams were doing. And you can’t blame him, because he was returning to the Denver Broncos after some rotational work the previous season. The 6-foot-5 248-pound former Oregon Duck outside linebacker was selected by the Broncos with the 156th pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. He had worked with the team on the football and willingly cross-trained as an inside linebacker to help the Broncos out.

That didn’t help him when it came time to face roster cuts, as the Broncos cut him from the roster with an intention to re-sign him to the practice squad.  Fortunately for the Rams, his former coach, Brandon Staley, knew his value and lobbied for the team to add him to his defense. Claimed off waivers by the Rams, he was brought quickly up to speed to fill a depth void in Brandon Staley’s new defense for the Rams.

But by 2021, he was far more prepared to contribute to the Rams’ defense. The coaching staff confirmed that to be true when we discovered that Justin Hollins was named as the starter, and was held out of preseason games.

Through his rotational work in 2020, Justin Hollins was able to record three quarterback sacks. Starting just one game in 2021, he already has two quarterback sacks. Better yet, there are 17 games this year, so he could end the season with a ridiculously high number of sacks. And by the way that he’s played off the edge, He could flirt with a ridiculously high number this season. Even if he falls short, he will be another solid starter claimed off of the waiver wire.