Bobby Wagner is lone LA Rams player on PFF 22 All-Pro Team

The LA Rams may not have intended to sign Bobby Wagner at the start of the 2022 offseason, but you can bet that they are happy they did. In the carnage that was the 2022 NFL season for the Rams roster, only veteran inside linebacker Bobby Wagner emerged with honors, as he was the lone LA Rams player named to Pro Football Focus’s 2022 NFL All-Pro Team.

While no surprise to Rams fans, it was a bit of a mild surprise at Wagner failed to be named to the NFL Pro Bowl this season, despite performing better than players who were named.

Wagner debuted on the LA Rams defense, and immediately became a leader on the football field and in the locker room. As far as his Pro Football Focus grade for the 2022 season, he ended the year with a 90.7 grade, an incredible performance in his first year with the LA Rams.

Not only did he lead the team in tackles with 140, falling just shy of the LA Rams All-Time Single Season Tackle record held by James Laurinaitis, a mark of 142 tackles set in both the 2011 and 2012 NFL seasons, but he was the runner up in quarterback sacks with six on the season.

Rams’ defense was tougher than you may think

So many fans were set on decrying the Rams’ defense and by association, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, that few noticed just how dominating of a defense the LA Rams put up in 2022. One source ranked the LA Rams’ defense as the sixth-ranked defense in the NFL.  But the Rams’ defense was surprisingly more effective in some key categories.

Per Linups.com, the Rams’ defense was the number one ranked NFL defense in terms of red zone touchdowns rate. The Rams’ defense was also among the Top-10 NFL defense in terms of red zone touchdowns, rushing touchdowns allowed, and interceptions, and was just outside of a Top-10 ranking at the number of plays, the number of pass attempts, touchdowns allowed, rushing yards, rushing attempts, and passing touchdowns.

Across the board, the Rams’ defense was tough against the run and tough to score against. Those are trademark characteristics of a defense led by veteran ILB Bobby Wagner. And great news folks, he’ll be back in 2023 to help the Rams’ defense be even more effective.