It's only training camp, but look for huge strides from this 3rd-year Rams star

When the Los Angeles Rams selected Wake Forest defensive tackle Kobie Turner with the 89th overall pick in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft, the team was hoping to add a contributor on a defensive front that had been stripped of veteran defensive tackles Greg Gaines and A'Shawn Robinson. What this team got with that selection is so much more.

In his rookie season, Kobie Turner, a.k.a. The Conductor, was runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year. While he lost out to Houston Texans rookie OLB Will Anderson, Turner surpassed him in quarterback sacks and tackles, while facing significantly more double teams. Offenses continue to double-team Turner more than any other interior defensive lineman, but he continues to be a force to be reckoned with. Last season, Turner had 8.0 quarterback sacks, 62 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and shaved his missed tackles rate to just 4.6 percent

He is maturing to an NFL elite level defensive lineman

The funny thing is, he is only entering his third season. That means that the Rams have two more years to benefit from one of the best value-added players on any NFL roster. You see, Turner was drafted in Round 3, which means that his salary cap hit for the next two seasons is just over $3 million. While that is more money than many of us dream of earning in the next 10 years, it's a bargain among NFL circles.

And it's a bargain that keeps on giving. You see, Turner continues to invest in himself in the offseason, developing new skills and reinforceing existing one. And that continues to enhance his value to the team, and his productivity.

The Rams have brought in veteran NT Poona Ford to take some of the offensive line attention off Turner this season. In many ways, Ford is a future version of Turner, with similar chaos creation on the line of scrimmage that frustrates offensive linemen and offensive coordinators.

With Ford anchoring nose tackle, Kobie Turner is poised to run amok this season. Offensive lines are limited as to how many defenders they can double-team, and that should put Turner into one-on-one matchups far more frequently this year. It's only training camp, but look for huge strides from this 3rd-year Rams star. Kobie Turner is quietly emerging as an elite defensive lineman for the Rams.

As always thanks for reading.

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