Rumors of no Rams pass rush are very premature as D terrorizes Cowboys QBs

It was normal for NFL analysts who casually follow the LA Rams to conclude that the retirement of All-Pro defensive linemen Aaron Donald would create a Grand Canyon-sized chasm in the team's ability to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. After all, the entire league recognized the 'Aaron Donald effect,' for what it was: Offensive coordinators and linemen were so singularly focused on Aaron Donald's threat of sacking the quarterback that they paid little heed to other Rams defenders.

So no Aaron Donald would translate into a lack of pressure, right?

Perhaps, if we were talking 2022 or earlier. But the LA Rams shed all veteran pass rushers by the start of the 2023 NFL season. And in the 2023 NFL Draft, the team added rookies to join teammate OLB Michael Hoecht and DT Aaron Donald to start rebuilding a new pass rush from bare bones.

While the process did not generate immediate results, the groundwork from the 2023 reconfigured defensive front hit homers with two outstanding rookies. Former Tennessee OLB Byron Young, chosen in Round 3 with the 77th overall pick, and former Wake Forest NT Kobie Turner, selected in Round 3 with the 89th overall picks, were under-the-radar acquisitions for a defense that was desperate to add pass rushers.

Rams double down with passionate prospects

The Rams followed the request of Aaron Donald in selecting players in the 2023 NFL Draft by choosing players based on how much they care about playing football. That was clearly present in both OLB Byron Young, who led all edge rushers with 8,0 quarterback sacks, and NT Kobie Turner, who led all rookies with 9.0 quarterback sacks.

Unfortunately, it was Houston Texans OLB Will Anderson Jr., and his 7.0 quarterback sacks, that claimed the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. How that happened is a mystery. But one thing is quite clear in 2024.

OLB Byron Young is not going to let there be any question this season. He is on fire, and after a phenomenal rookie season, He could put up 12.0+ quarterback sacks this season:

Even as Byron Young, a.k.a. Agent 0, appears to be far more dangerous this season, he is most certainly alone this year. He is joined by returning IDL Kobie Turner, who is also even more dangerous this season. And they are both joined by a pair of former Florida State rookies, OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske.

How well did the Rams pass rush perform against the Dallas Cowboys? Cowboys starting QB Dak Prescott developed ankle soreness during the joint scrimmage, and is being held out of practice on Friday:

The two rookies add even more pass rush expertise to an energetic and unpredictable defensive front. And if you are concerned that the sales pitch on this pair exceeds the actual production, save that thought. As you can see in the social media extract, they are already showing up in a big way in the joint scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys:

Of course, this is still not real NFL game experience. But considering how well the Rams hit on two rookies in 2023, and the fact that two more rookies are tracking even better in 2024, there are many reasons to be quite optimistic about the pass rush in 2024.

Will it be a perfect season? Probably not. Will the Rams defensive front dominate every week? Almost certainly not. But It appears as though Kobie Turner and Byron Young are set to have even better second seasons than their impressive rookie stats. And it also appears that rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske could have better rookie seasons than their teammates.

Many NFL analysts are not very high on the Rams pass rush in 2024. But I believe that these defensive players will be far better than expected. They are not chasing a bank, or afraid to make mistakes. They are enthusiastic, energetic, rookie players who are simply playing the game that they love.

Watch out, NFL. Love is a great motivator, and these Rams players love the game.

Thanks for reading.