How these 2 DL blocker gobblers mean everything for Rams defensive success

Imagine a world where the LA Rams ILB Ernest Jones not only must stuff the run, defend the middle of the field from receivers catching passes from sharp passing quarterbacks, and must tackle anyone who breaks though the line of scrimmage, but must do so while consistently fighting off one or two offensive linemen throughout the game. Keeping those offensive linemen off Ernest Jones is just one of the many roles of the defensive line's blocker gobbers, like NT Bobby Brown III and NT/DT Tyler Davis.

It's not the type of role that fantasy football team owners track. As such, it's not a role that gets much attention by the media. A lack of media coverage means that fans do not hear much about those players. But the coaching staff, and their teammates, know and understand the vital role played by the big burly behemoths in the defensive line. They occupy and entangle the attention of the offensive linemen so that the linebackers who play immediately behind them can move freely to make the play.

When it works, the defense is nearly unblockable.

The LA Rams defensive line is a work in process. Not only must this group redefine itself after the retirement of All-Pro DT Aaron Donald, but the team must find ways to absorb the vacated defensive snaps of both Donald and starting defensive end Jonah Williams. But the task at hand is not simply identifying warm bodies who are the best individuals for the defensive line, but also designing the right rotations to ensure the defensive line has the right mix of players to provide sufficient playmakers as well as blocker-gobblers.

And it all has to come together rather quickly:

Let's peel the efforts of DT Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske aside for the time being. While it's safe to conclude that they will both get more than their fair share of double teams, they are likely to make immediate impacts in 2024, not just as run stuffers but as pass rushers as well. So too, the team will be working with the defensive end position to ensure a productive contribution there as well.

But the key to the defensive line, just as the offensive line, hinges on the play of the guy in the middle of the mayhem. And so, we will ponder the contribution of the team's two likely nose tackles: Rookie Tyler Davis and veteran Bobby Brown III.