Myles Garrett blockbuster flips Rams depth chart upside down

The Los Angeles Rams have traded for 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, but the move also required shipping present and future NFL star edge rusher Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns. As a result, LA's depth chart has been flipped topsy-turvy before training camp even starts.

Garrett arrives just in time to team up with Byron Young, another emerging star and a pending free agent, to terrorize quarterbacks in 2026. The pair combined for 35 sacks last season, and it's possible that they only improve upon that number this year.

With a new one-two punch in town, the next question in fans' minds hinges on the depth chart. Will exchanging Verse for Garrett impact the distribution of reps elsewhere in the rotation? Who is on the bubble? Let's take a fresh look at where things stand for the Rams' pass-rushing crew.

Garrett's arrival shakes up Rams' pass-rush depth chart

Shrewdly, the Rams did not gut the rotation in order to acquire Garrett. Initial reports indicate that the Browns received Verse, a first-round pick, and additional draft capital. With a one-for-one exchange, the defense suffers no loss in personnel.

And as exciting a young player as Verse is, Garrett is a superstar of Herculean magnitude. It's about as all-in a move as general manager Les Snead could make, the stuff of other fanbases' dreams.

So how does the depth chart look in the wake of the seismic change? Something like this, assuming a 4-3 scheme and keeping in mind that Verse is technically an outside linebacker while Garret is more strictly classified as a defensive end:

• LOLB : Byron Young | Josaiah Stewart | Keir Thomas II | Eddie Walls III (UDFA)
• ROLB: Myles Garrett | Desjuan Johnson | Wesley Bailey (UDFA) | Daryl Peterson III (UDFA)

Garrett's arrival is not only a direct improvement to the pass rush. It could boost production across the defensive front by making life easier for his teammates. Offensive coordinators have made a habit of throwing at least two blockers at Garrett on every play.

That means more opportunities for Young along with defensive linemen like Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner, and even Poona Ford. After all, fewer blockers will be available to protect quarterbacks from the rest of LA's defensive front.

There is so much to digest from this shocking development. Stay tuned for updates as we decipher what the move means for the Rams' defense this season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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