Latest Rams FA signing leaves fans asking what he brings to the defense

What is LA Rams GM Les Snead up to now? Well, that is what fans are asking after the team reported signing free agent defensive lineman Carlos Watkins. After an offseason of focusing strictly on veteran, the team has finally acquiesced and signed a veteran defensive lineman to join the team. And those same fans are asking: What does this guy bring to the team?

The news in a nutshell is that Carlos Watkins is a stunningly versatile defensive lineman who, much like DT/OLB Michael Hoecht, has the ability to flex into a 3-point defensive lineman, or a 2-point outside linebacker. He is entering his seventh NFL season, having played for the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, and Arizona Cardinals in the past.

His 2023 season ended prematurely when he suffered a bicep injury with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. He never returned to their active roster. Now, he will be playing for the LA Rams:

So what should fans know about him?

He has appeared in 71 games, starting in 37 of those contests. He has amassed 139 tackles, 6.0 quarterback sacks, 17 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, 14 quarterback pressures, and has only missed six tackles over his six season NFL career.

While never allowing a touchdown pass, his forte is not exactly pass coverage. Over his career, he has allowed seven completions in eight targets. But he does have a pick-six to his credit. He has also broken up seven passes. While that may not seem to make sense at first glance, you can reasonably speculate that he was able to deflect a pass by getting his hands up on plays when he was not in pass coverage.

Watkins' signing seems to confirm that the arm injury suffered by DT Larrell Murchison in the team's first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys will require time for him to heal. Watkins's signing, therefore, is preseason insurance in case Murchison is unable to suit up in Week 1 to face the Detroit Lions.

There is also the matter of DE Desjuan Johnson trying to return from an untimely foot injury.

So what does he bring to this defense? He is a versatile weapon for DC Chris Shula to deploy as a down lineman or as a pass rusher. He has the experience to be used effectively off the bench or as a spot starter. And he has enough background in either a starting role or rotational role to make him dependable in a pinch.

I am not prepared to give the probability of Carlos Watkins to make the 53-man Rams roster just yet. But I will suggest that he will see playing time in the remaining two preseason games on the schedule. What happens after that is your guess is as good as mine.

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