Rams Roster: Fast 40+ LA Rams roster roundup DL Kobie Turner (#3)

With the loss in the 2023 NFL Free Agency market of both NT Greg Gaines and DL A'Shawn Robinson, the LA Rams were not only committing the defense to new and unchartered waters. This move unsured a great deal of uncertainty moving forward, as both veterans were known for their ability to play superb defense to stop the run.

That still seems like a risky direction to take as the NFL may be moving away from valuing the contribution of running backs. But the rebirth of an effective rushing attack is beginning. And the LA Rams already know this

It was disappointing in the 2022 NFL season as the Rams defense began to fall to the same injury epidemic as the one that claimed so many offensive linemen and forced them to the bench. The Rams defensive front lost the services of All-Pro Aaron Donald, veteran defensive end A'Shawn Robinson, and was still called upon to answer the bell each week.

Rams roster is rookieville

But through all of the adversity, and the rising frustrations of the Rams fans, the defense never stopped trying. Yes, nobody embraced the deep cushions given by young and inexperienced defensive backs to receivers, but the Rams did not lay down and play dead. Even after the season was long over for the team, the LA Rams continued to compete.

Now the Rams may not have an option to lean on veteran leadership. In the case of the Rams defense, the team has veteran All-Pro Aaron Donald back to full strength. But beyond him, this is a young and energetic Rams roster that hopes to make a play with every snap of the football.

From this fountain of youth, the LA Rams defensive line must stitch together players of diverse ranges of experience. Much like a quilt, the hope is that by blending the wisdom and consistency of veteran players with the enthusiasm and energy of young players, the Rams defense will surprise opponents with an ability to blanket receivers, smother rushers, and heat up their chances of winning.

A quick summary

The LA Rams need help along the defensive front, and with the 89th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, they got it in the form of DL Kobie Turner out of Wake Forest. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 288 pounds, he has a similar style of play to that of Aaron Donald. But his smile, his snappy banter, and his zest for all things football are definitely cut from the same cord of wood as former LA Rams nose tackle Sebastian Joseph Day.

Like many players who compete to play along the defensive front but stand under 6-foot-4, Turner faced the same 'too small,' And that is a tough narrative to fend off because, well, it's based on height. The Rams have some experience with adding players deemed to be too small to the defensive line. The question is: Does this team have more of that magic to share with Kobie Turner?

What I don't like about this signing

If you were looking for a defensive lineman to step into the nose tackle role in the wake of Greg Gaines, you will be very disappointed. While he did compete at the 0 technique at Wake Forest, Turner is not going to earn his keep trying to fend of an offensive center and an offensive guard at the point of attack.

But the bigger question is whether the LA Rams will play solid run defense with him on the line of scrimmage. Can he leverage his energy and agility to compensate for a lack of body mass?

What I like about this signing

If you wanted the LA Rams to focus on getting more pressure on the opposing quarterback, you are going to like this signing. In just one season with Wake Forest, he recorded 38 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and 2.0 quarterback sacks. Prior to that, in four seasons with the Richmond Spiders, he amassed 158 tackles, 33.5 tackles for a loss, 16 quarterback sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick.

He is strong and agile. which are prerequisites for playing well on the defensive line.

Nothing about his football career was a given. And so, he learned early on that he simply had to work harder. But facing that level of intensity and that duration of pure grind, he learned to embrace the mundane and have a lot of fun every step of the way. He laughs a lot, and his laughter is infectious.

What I loves about this signing

Rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner is a sponge, and the LA Rams Defensive Line Coach Eric Henderson has been custom-built for a guy like this. A master craftsman working with an adept apprentice. Turner is going to stand out again and again because he is learning from Coach Henny, from veteran Aaron Donald, and even from young players like Bobby Brown III.

You love to see the guys who are drafted early and getting noticed. And it's even more fun to see when they are likeable guys who really seem to be having fun out there. Kokie Turner is having fun, folks. But he is loving the life in the NFL, which makes it far easier to impress his coaching staff.

And guess who is impressing his coaches:

If you want a run stuffer, you won't be thrilled. But if you want to see the LA Rams get penetration across the line of scrimmage, or even an occasion quarterback sack from a defensive lineman not named Aaron Donald, you are going to love this guy.

What are his chances of making the roster?

Kobie Turner will make the LA Rams 53-man roster. He has so much potential and the hope is that promise will be realized sooner than later. Will he start or simply be a rotational player? I suspect that he could earn his way into a starting role with a solid push through preseason. In any case, I believe that he has the potential to play 50 percent of the Rams defensive snaps this season.

As challenging as it was for NFL draft analysts to know what to make of Kobie Turner, I think NFL offenses will struggle even more.