Omar Speights has jolted dormant Rams defense with unexpected playmaking

Hand up: linebacker Omar Speights had plenty of doubters, mostly vocally among Los Angeles Rams fans themselves, entering the 2026 season. To his credit, he has played with verve and inspiration, helping to fill a playmaking void in the middle of the Rams defense. 

In fact, despite the group's overall if inconsistent effectiveness, the Horns haven't gotten disruption from many sources this season. Edge rusher Byron Young has been a man possessed of late, leading the team with 3.5 sacks. After that, it's Speights with two, rookie Wes Bailey with one, and safety Kamren Kinchens with a half. 

Speights is one of three Rams with a forced fumble, a beauty of peanut punch; he also has a tackle for loss and a pass defensed. Only Young has multiple TFLs. Speights ranks third, behind Quentin Lake and Nate Landman, in total tackles. 

He has been a force on special teams; when Speights hits, the returner knows it. On a defense that needs a boost, Speights has been the guy.

Speights has given Rams defense an unexpected spark

Which you wouldn't expect. In 26 career starts, Speights entered the year with zero sacks or quarterback hits, no fumbles forced, and two tackles for loss. Well, he already has career highs in three categories. 

Rams fans are well aware of Speights' issues in coverage, and those haven't gone away. Pro Football Focus looked more favorably upon Speights than Rams fans did last season, but thus far in '26, PFF has awarded him just a 43.6 coverage grade, 65th among 74 qualified linebackers. It's against the run that Speights makes his bread; his 85.9 run-defense grade ranks second at the position. 

That's no surprise. We knew that. It's the added disruption that has distinguished Speights' early season, something the Rams hadn't seen in years past. With Myles Garrett injured, Aaron Donald managing back soreness, and the pass rush struggling to get home consistently, the defense could use some extra havoc. 

Turnovers have been hard to come by. Disappointingly, the Rams rank just 24th with three on the year. With their poor ball security on offense, they sit tied for 27th with a minus-five turnover differential. Only the Colts are worse. 

LA's seven sacks are tied for 22nd with three other teams. Four of those came last week against the Eagles, including one from Speights on a blitz.

Hopefully that momentum continues. Speights has provided a valuable boost, but how long will it continue? The Rams need other, more reliable sources to step up and help out. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow