There’s something about LA Rams rookie OLB Daniel Hardy

Some players have that intrigue, that unquantifiable bit of success.  It’s unexplainable confidence, a swagger of a player whose maturity seems to be far greater than the number of years on this earth or in his position should possess. That quality is not often found in rookies. But it seems to be present in LA Rams rookie outside linebacker Daniel Hardy.

No, I’m not talking about his workout routine in the pool. By now you’ve probably read a half dozen stories on the subject, and seen the video a dozen or more times. But in the rare chance that you have not yet seen Hardy jump out of a pool to stand poolside, here it is again:

Okay, obligatory workout video of an LA Rams rookie embedded? Check.

My eyes were lured to focus upon another type of workout, a more traditional workout for NFL outside linebackers who train to improve their jump out of the blocks and work on ridiculous hard pivots at the line of scrimmage designed to keep offensive linemen on their heels.

Daniel Hardy may be an NFL Rookie, but he makes this look so easy. He got some juice in his jets, and he is generating all that thrust and speed out of the blocks while remaining in complete balance. That’s rather impressive.

And to think that he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 235th overall pick.

Pick 235: Edge Daniel Hardy

It is difficult to understand how the LA Rams were able to locate such a promising young man in the seventh round of the draft. One factor could be the simple fact that he hails from a small collegiate football program. Another factor could be the fact that he is 6-foot-2, a less than the optimal height for the prototypical NFL edge rusher.  In fact, his draft profile states: Lacks desired size and strength at (the) point of attack. That is almost verbatim from the draft profile of Aaron Donald. So no worries there.

He was projected to be selected anywhere from Round 5 or later, so in terms of where the Rams selected him, he was good value.

In terms of raw athleticism? He is a home run. He is raw in experience, technique, and refinement. But in terms of what he can deliver after he is coached up? Well, let’s just say that he will only be limited by the way he applies himself.

The LA Rams appear to be embracing their strategy of selecting coachable prospects with extremely high upside and relying upon their positional coaches to get them there. If Hardy ends up anywhere close to his potential, the Rams will be set at the position for years to come.