Projecting LA Rams Depth Chart as 2024 Training Camp gets underway

Defensive Line:

Starters: Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Braden Fiske

Backups: Cory Durden, Tyler Davis, Desjuan Johnson, Anthony Goodlaw

Next in line: Tuli Letuligasenoa, David Olajiga, Larrell Murchison

There is a lot of pressure on the Rams defensive line to somehow blaze a trail in 2024 without DT Aaron Donald. But 31 other NFL teams have been doing that all along, and some have put up some pretty incredible defenses. What this team may no longer possess in terms of raw power and athleticism, the defense can compensate with agility, speed, presence of mind, and leaning heavily into strong chemistry, communication, and cooperation.

It's tough to imagine what this defense will do, or even can do, without Aaron Donald attracting the attention of offensive coordinators, offensive linemen, or opposing quarterbacks. But the defense could turn that difference into an advantage. No offensive coordinator can know where the pressure is coming from in this defense. And it's up to DC Chris Shula to keep them guessing.

There is a lot of camaraderie and esprit de corps among the defensive linemen, and that gives the group an underestimated advantage. This is a 'nothing to lose,' group of passionate and prideful players. Watch out NFL, because they truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Edge Rushers

Starters: Jared Verse, Byron Young

Backups: Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson

Next in line: Nick Hampton, Zach VanValkenburg, Ochaun Mathis, Keir Thomas

There is a lot of pressure on the team's young edge rushers, but I see signs that even gracious and astute NFL analysts notoriously underestimate this group. The team waited eight years for a Round 1 draft pick. Ultimately, the team opted to land Florida State Seminoles outside linebacker Jared Verse. I had Verse projected to be named among the Top 10 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, so I never dared to mock him to the Rams.

Advantage Rams.

If OLB Byron Young, who was selected with the 77th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, can put up 8.0 quarterback sacks in his rookie season, then OLB Jared Verse, who was selected with the 19th overall pick in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, should be able to put up 10.0+ quarterback sacks in his rookie season.

Better still, the team has upgraded the pass rush over 2024 simply due to the fact that former starting OLB Michael Hoecht returns this year as a backup. He is joined by a rookie I am awfully high on, OLB Brennan Jackson out of Washington State. Jackson is a Furian, an aggressive Mad Maxx off the edge who loves to make tackles, sack quarterbacks, and break up pass plays.

The Rams have a lot of depth at outside linebacker. But it will be tough to crack the roster at the position this year.