Little-known Rams defensive lineman is back for a chance despite steep odds

You probably haven't heard of him, but there is something about defensive tackle Bill Norton that sets him apart on the Los Angeles Rams' 90-man roster. Norton toggled on and off the practice squad in a nearly anonymous rookie season. Nonetheless, he's back again in hopes of carving out a role.

Take a look at Norton's physical profile compared to some of the other interior defenders competing for roles at the backend of L.A.'s rotation:

Norton is, well, big. As in very big. In principle, that puts him at a disadvantage given the Rams' fixation on smaller defensive linemen in the mold of Aaron Donald. They continue to search for players who can follow in his footsteps.

Norton returns to the scene as an anomaly. Here's why he should be given every opportunity to succeed.

Bill Norton stands above his defensive teammates

Norton was only a factor in the Rams' 2025 preseason. Although he did not secure a roster spot, his ability to manhandle multiple blockers at once was enough to earn him another chance.

Will he fare better in 2026? Well, he can hardly do worse. The Rams did not bring in many newcomers on the defensive line, save for seventh-round nose tackle Tim Keenan III. While Norton could be in play at the nose this season, he is versatile enough to compete elsewhere as well.

Powerful defensive linemen who stand as tall as redwoods are always in fashion in the NFL. In stature, Norton only looks up to four of his teammates, all of whom are members of the offense. Meanwhile, it's easy to conceive scenarios in which the Rams would benefit from having a powerhouse on the defensive front.

Norton did not have many opportunities in 2025. He may not be granted many this year either, but he is back in the mix. He knows the system. Anything is possible, right?

As always, thanks for reading.

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