LA Rams Coach Henny’s DAWGWORK pays off with young bucks on DL

The draft class of 2021 finally starting to shine

The LA Rams have only drafted three defensive linemen since hiring Coach Eric Henderson. The first was selecting DT Greg Gaines in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 134th overall pick. The next two were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, when the LA Rams selected DT Bobby Brown III in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick, and then selected DE Earnest Brown IV in the fifth round with the 174th overall pick

Earnest Brown IV

The lone holdout from the draft class from the 2021 NFL Draft, DE Earnest Brown IV, has had a slow path through the rigors of the Rams’ defense. But don’t discount his NFL potential. Per the LA Rams’ official website, the team finally signed Brown to the team’s active roster on December 24, 2022.

Brown has seen action in three games so far this season, for a total of 47 defensive snaps. In that small sample size, he has three tackles, one quarterback hurry, and one quarterback pressure. The 6-foot-5 270-pound defensive end is signed through the end of the 2023 NFL season, so look for him to figure into the Rams’ DL rotation through the end of this season and all of next.  He has shown a fearless approach

Bobby Brown III

The LA Rams loved drafting defensive lineman Bobby Brown III. But after a less-than-expected rookie season, and a suspension to open the 2022 NFL season, Bobby Brown has been quietly putting together a pretty good season. While he is not yet to his full potential, he is becoming more and more active on the Rams’ defensive line of scrimmage.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing a robust 324, Brown has been a very versatile defensive lineman who is very much a throwback to the blocker-gobbler defensive linemen of the NFL’s past. While he has seen action in seven games this season and started once, he has been limited to just 123 defensive snaps.  All in all, he has seven tackles so far this season, as well as two quarterback hurries and two quarterback pressures. Best of all, he has not missed a tackle yet this season.  While he has not gotten to the quarterback, he continues to inch closer with each game.

Brown is benefitting tremendously from playing time this season, and I expect will take a huge step forward in the 2023 NFL season.