It's only training camp but this Rams veteran is finally living up to the hype

When the Los Angeles Rams selected Florida State rookie OLB prospect Jared Verse, the team did not stop and call the projected 2025 pass rush good. The team pressed on, selecting a very promising Washington State rookie OLB prospect, Brennan Jackson, as well. At the time, Verse was the polished and obvious starter.

But Jackson held a lot of promising intrigue as well. While not as touted as a top-tier pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jackson had faced incredible opponents and had scratched together a reputation for being tremendously physical and productive even against some of the NCAA's most dangerous offenses.

We loved the addition of rookie OLB prospect Brennan Jackson in 2024, and we still do. He is a physically dominating edge rusher who has the potential to make a huge impact this season.

So why didn't he dominate last year?

He suffered a minor injury setback in training camp last season. For a rookie, that often derails the opportunity to develop quickly enough to be entrusted with a significant rotational role. And despite the hopes for a significant role, Jackson only saw action on 47 defensive snaps in 2024. Even with those few snaps, he was able to put up three tackles and deflect one pass.

Still, it was enough to give him first-hand NFL experience to fuel his training and focus for the 2025 NFL season. But is it enough to raise the bar of expectations once more?

Brennan Jackson gets noticed in Rams minicamp

The Rams pass rush developed over the 2024 NFL season, erupting for 16 quarterback sacks in last year's NFL Playoffs. But the team lost some key pass rushers, including veteran OLB Michael Hoecht and DT Neville Gallimore. For any and every Rams defensive pass rusher, there are available defensive snaps to claim, and second-year OLB Brennan Jackson certainly has his hat in the ring for a significant role in 2025.

Listen to Rams HC Sean McVay discuss the team during the 2025 Rams minicamp:

McVay is asked to name who stood out in the spring at the 4:15 mark, and after naming some offensive players, Coach McVay names Brennan Jackson, and changes his tone to emphasize his surprise and pleasure with his young edge rusher:

"Brennan Jackson is a guy who really stood out, that maybe we're excited to see where he can go with his game."

Rams HC Sean McVay

What about his game is so exciting? Well, it starts with the fact that Jackson stands 6-foot-4 and tips the scales at 263 pounds. That translates into a guy who can be as productive with his hand in the dirt as he is in a two-point stance. And that versatility is just the tip of the iceberg for his impact.

Jackson is another strong man on the defensive front, and that is the direction that this defense needs to lean into in 2025. The Rams were bullied in multiple games at trying to stuff the run. This season, they face almost every top NFL running back. To shut down the run, the Rams need bigger and stronger players, which describes Brennan Jackson to a tee.

Due to the depth of edge rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jackson fell from as high as a Round 3 projection to Round 5, where the Rams found him. Jackson did show up in the 2024 preseason, but his forte was run defense. Once the season started, his proficiency shifted to pass rush.

But this is a clean slate for Jackson, a new opportunity to package his potential and passion with a little bit of NFL experience and roar out of the gate this season. Based on the fact that he was one of the first defensive names mentioned by Coach McVay, I think it's safe to say that he is already on his way.

As always, thanks for reading.

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