LA Rams rookie DT Tyler Davis can solve underrated problem in this defense

All-Pro DT Aaron Donald's retirement was always going to create more questions than answers about the immediate prospects of the LA Rams' new-look defensive line. The team is attempting to provide some answers by moving the 2023 NFL draft find Kobie Tuner from nose tackle to defensive end. The hope is to fill in Donald's void.

It's a smart move considering Turner is a highly active, pressure-generating machine. His partnership with this year's second-round pick rookie DT Braden Fiske could make the Rams' front dominant, provided they find a new playmaker over the ball.

Incumbent Bobby Brown III is the obvious candidate to start in Turner's old spot. Yet, he's a beefy run-stuffer, one-dimensional in style. So maybe it's time to give sixth-round pick and rookie DT Tyler Davis an extended look with the starters.

Davis has earned extra reps after he flashed signs of dominance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the preseason. NFL Network's Brian Baldinger highlighted the former Clemson standout's best plays. Brian Baldinger, also affectionately known as 'Baldy,' is also one of the best NFL Insiders and analysts out there.

What Baldinger shone a light on was an undersized, but versatile athlete who can bring a superior level of athleticism to a position usually defined by space-eaters who occupy double teams.

Tyler Davis can redefine key spot for Rams

Looking at Davis' game film, it's easy to be reminded of former Dallas Cowboys one-time All-Pro nose tackle / defensive lineman Jeremiah 'Jay' Ratliff. He was lighter than his contemporaries playing head-up over centers (he weighed 303 pounds), but Ratliff won with leverage, quickness, and a natural affinity for finding the ball.

It's a stretch to assume Davis will emulate a four-time Pro Bowler like Ratliff. Yet, it's worth noting ex-Cowboys linchpin Ratliff went from seventh-round obscurity to stardom.

Davis could tread a similar path if he can continue getting into the backfield the way he did against Dallas. The value of a nose tackle who can do more than control blockers is obvious.

It means Davis could stay on the field in obvious passing situations and wreck protection. His presence in the base defense would also give offensive lines one more major threat to worry about. Opposing teams would find it difficult to double team notable matchup problems like Turner and edge-rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young.

Davis logged 16 sacks in five years for the Tigers, twice notching 5.5 quarterback takedowns in a single season. So there's the raw potential to become a polished pass-rusher from the interior.

Letting 6-foot-2, 299-pound Davis play to his strengths can work for the Rams, but there is an underlying worry. Notably, how "the general lack of size along this front (and a lack of Aaron Donald) may make them vulnerable to the run," according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.

This is a worthy concern when the Rams compete in the physical NFC West. The division is home to the San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. There's also Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks, a bruiser with true breakaway speed. Even the Arizona Cardinals can pound defenses between the tackles via the efforts of rugged veteran James Conner.

Matching brawn with brawn is one way to handle a powerful runnning game. Speed and swarm are others. Davis already looks like a good candidate to lead the swarm and leave Brown to focus on short-yardage and goal-line duties.

The recent addition of a former Cardinals defensive tackle shows the Rams are still forming the final blueprint up front. Davis should be a central figure in the final mix.