5 LA Rams 2nd-year sleepers will show up big in 2024, inc. OLB Nick Hampton

1 - OLB Nick Hampton

Revisiting the team's 2023 NFL Draft, you find that the team addressed the outside linebacker position multiple times. While rookie outside linebacker Byron Young was a fixture on the football field last season, other outside linebackers who were drafted were not so fortunate. One such rookie is former Appalachian State Mountaineers outside linebacker Nick Hampton.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 247 pounds, Hampton was another rookie who fell in the draft below his projected spot, perhaps due to the fact that he was a bit raw and undersized. But his on-field production was solid, and the team loves to get overachievers on the roster who are passionate about football. Hampton certainly checks those boxes.

Hampton simply did not progress quickly enough to take on a larger role in this defense. He did see action in 66 defensive snaps, leading to four tackles, not quarterback sacks or pressures, and a very limited role.

On a positive note, he was targeted twice in pass coverage, and only allowed one catch. He was able to break up the other pass. The Rams need outside linebackers who can play solid pass coverage. A

Several of his draft profiles suggested that Hampton's versatility could allow defensive coordinators to deploy him at inside linebacker, and perhaps the team will explore that role for Hampton this season. But even more surprising, Hampton scores incredibly high on athleticism, and his ability to diagnose plays and then show up wherever the football is keeps him close to the play.

Hampton had a pretty good preseason in 2023, putting up three tackles in limited action in three games. He put up four tackles in the regular season on just 66 defensive snaps. The question is, can Hampton earn playing time with a much deeper edge rusher room? He has a great shot, and here's why:

The defense had some success with hybrid linebacker Justin Hollins in 2020 through 2022, toggling him between the outside and inside linebacker roles, wherever the team needed help. Hollins was similar to Hampton, standing 6-foot-5 but weighing just 248 pounds. While Hampton may or may not earn playing time on the edge, he has the opportunity to slide inside as well. And of course, there is the special team's option as well.

This team boasts plenty of unrealized talent on the roster among players returning for their second NFL season. But chances don't last forever. It's already now or never for some players. I expect that of this group, more will show up in 2024 than fade away.

Thanks for reading.