3 breakout roster candidates making a name for themselves in Rams camp so far

I: Don't forget rookie Brennan Jackson as an early favorite

Speaking of angry hornets, rookie outside linebacker Brennan Jackson plays like a guy who is just ticked off at the world. Come to think of it, wasn't there a Marvel superhero who was fueled by anger too? Oh yeah, the Hulk. Brennan Jackson resembles the Hulk on a football field.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 263 pounds, Jackson is built to play physical football for the entire game. He is a guy you want on your team, if for no other reason than his relentless pursuit and passion for the game. You just know that he will eventually break through and make a big play. And for a guy who is chasing a roster spot and playing time on the defense, it pays to be someone who the head coach mentions by name.

Good for Jackson then, because Coach McVay has already noticed how well he has been playing:

There is a lot of work ahead for this team's pass rush. Right now, the coaching staff is sorting through who will be part of the 2024 rotation. While the team has plenty of options, I can see the coaches setting on a small number of players to rotate through at the position. My current guess as to who that may be is OLB Byron Young and Jared Verse as starters, with OLB Michael Hoecht and Brennan Jackson as backups.

Jackson is one of those players who will sneak up on the NFL this season. In 2022, the Rams found RB Kyren Williams in Round 5. In 2023, the team discovered WR Puka Nacua in Round 5. In 2024, the team made just one selection in Round 5, and chose Washington State outside linebacker Brennan Jackson with the 154th overall pick.

But he was projected to come off the board as early as Day 2.

Jackson possesses all of the raw ingredients to engineer a truly elite NFL pass rusher. He simply needs to refine his technique, learn to process what he sees, and analyze a complete strategy to flourish in the NFL. And that is all coachable. In fact, progress in all areas is already underway.

If this team can convert a down lineman into an outside linebacker mid-season, imagine how well the same team can refine an existing passionate and physical outside linebacker into an NFL-caliber edge rusher.

The Rams defensive front is one of the areas that is most suspect in 2024. Without Aaron Donald, nearly all NFL analysts have downgraded their projections for this defense and for the team's defensive front. But I can see that the team has constructed a far more balanced defense for 2024, one that has the potential to put up better numbers.

It's early. But the performance of these three rookies is undeniably promising. As always, thanks for reading.