Defensive end Jonah Williams picks up where he left off

In 2020, the LA Rams were smart enough to add multiple undrafted rookie defensive linemen. That group included Michael Hoecht, Sam Renner, Greg Reaves, Eric Banks, and Jonah Williams. Now mind you, these are five defensive linemen from the class of 2020 who never heard their name called in an NFL Draft. But they did earn a

Right now, both Michael Hoecht and Jonah Williams are competing for roster spots and playing time with the LA Rams. Sam Renner is a current free agent but competed as recently as 2021 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Greg Reaves has signed on with the USFL Tampa Bay Bandits. Finally, Eric Banks played for the LA Clippers in 2021 and is now with the Detroit Lions.

Five undrafted defensive linemen, resulting in three NFL players two years later. Only one player is not currently under contract to play football. That is quite a success rate for undrafted defensive linemen, isn’t it? Well, guess what? It gets better.

The Rams kept Eric Banks, Jonah Williams, and Michael Hoecht on the team’s practice squad in 2020, a decision that continues to pay dividends to this day. After all, the Rams have sparingly added to the defensive line over the past three drafts, with both 2021 drafted defensive linemen Bobby Brown III and Earnest Brown IV trying to make up ground to both Williams and Hoecht.

Rams Roster: Jonah Williams

Right now, Williams is upping the ante, as his strip sack against what appeared to be the Houston Texans’ starting offense was a beautiful play.

The LA Rams defense is not a one-man show in terms of generating pressure on the opposing quarterback. While the Rams may be viewed as a defense that is led by All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald, the team succeeds by generating pressure across the defensive front. Jonah Williams has shown an ability to get to the quarterback in the past, and his 2022 preseason performance seems to be picking up right where he left off in 2021.

Will Jonah Williams make the LA Rams roster? Well if he does not, he will most definitely be re-signed to the team’s practice squad. The Rams will have plenty of opportunities this year for Williams. The only challenge is where the Rams can create the roster spot to play him this year.