Nikhai Hill-Green is coming to give Rams linebackers a run for their money

One name Los Angeles Rams fans might be unfamiliar with among the team's undrafted free agent signees: Nikhai Hill-Green, the former Alabama linebacker. Well, he should make their acquaintance before long. 

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside 'backer was a lucky find in undrafted free agency. He visited with the Commanders, 49ers, and Jaguars, but ultimately did not hear his name called during the draft. The Rams were only too glad to scoop him up afterward.

Hill-Green could contend for a rotational spot as soon as this season. Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard, and Troy Reeder should get ready for a challenge. Even Omar Speights, a projected starter, could lose a few snaps. Entering his final year under contract, he knows the Rams will be eyeing potential successors. 

One thing's for sure: don't underestimate this kid. Hill-Green is tough, he's resilient, and he'll surprise you if you let him.

Ty Simpson's college teammate just keeps climbing the ranks

Hill-Green began his college career at Michigan, then missed the entire 2022 season dealing with an undisclosed soft-tissue injury. The absence cost him his job. 

Rather than languish at the bottom of the depth chart, he transferred to Charlotte in 2023 to reclaim a starting role. His strong showing there earned him a chance at Colorado next season, a step up from the American Conference to the Big 12. 

A career year for the Buffaloes led to a further promotion in his final season, to Alabama in the SEC. There, Hill-Green was teammates with Ty Simpson, the Rams' 2026 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Tim Keenan III, a seventh-rounder. Now they're all wearing Blue and Yellow. 

Hill-Green did not have his most statistically impressive season with the Crimson Tide, but he contributed consistently and increased his production as the year progressed. He accumulated most of his box-score volume from Week 7 on. In his last three games, covering the SEC Championship and the playoffs, he tallied 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pair of pass breakups. 

His numbers at Colorado a year earlier: 82 total tackles, including 11.5 TFLs, two sacks, two interceptions, and four PBUs. Solid.

Inside linebacker is a position of need on the Rams roster. Nate Landman is secure in his role as a starter, but Speights' flaws in pass coverage have bitten the defense a few too many times. Hill-Green allowed only a 55% completion percentage last season. Per Pro Football Focus, that was second-best among qualified linebackers in all of college football.

Dolac, Reeder, and Stuard, who came over from Detroit this offseason, are more involved on special teams. For LA last year, Dolac and Reeder combined for only 123 defensive snaps. With a strong training camp, Hill-Green could at least earn the right to absorb those reps behind Landman and Speights. 

As for those two, they'd better keep their foot on the pedal. Former UDFAs themselves, they know that few players are entitled to anything before the season starts, regardless of status. Everything is earned. That fact is an open invitation for players like Hill-Green to come in and steal somebody's spot. 

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