4 LA Rams defensive players who step out of the shadows in 2023

The LA Rams may not have as many returning veteran players as other NFL teams, but does that mean the players returning to the Rams roster are virtually guaranteed more significant roles for the team in 2023? I'm not so sure. The reason is plain. Not everyone is ready for the challenge of a brighter spotlight, which means that not everything that happens for the Rams team this year will be coming up roses.

Although familiar with veterans, Rams coaches will be promoting veterans to starters and rotational roles based on limited defensive snaps and NFL experience from 2022. A few defensive players may not be ripe for the larger role on defense, but here are four players who I believe are ready to step out of the shadows into the limelight:

This defensive lineman could be great news in 2023

Defensive lineman Larrell Murchison did not have much time to acclimate to the LA Rams, either to the coaching staff or to his teammates, but certainly roared in the three games that he played for the Rams. In fact, in 54 defensive snaps, Murchison was able to record six tackles and two quarterback sacks. All of that came without any offensive line focus on Aaron Donald, who was already on Injured Reserve when Murchison began his assault for the Rams.

The 6-foot-2 297-pound Murchison arrived off waivers after competing for 2.5 NFL seasons for the Tennessee Titans. I don't know if Murchison can keep pace on quarterback sacks, but I do believe that he is a strong contender to earn a starting role on the Rams defensive front this season.