This young Rams DL will not be the weakest link as some have predicted

Unpredictable. Uncertain performance. Granted, the LA Rams defensive line may have a bit of that going for it in 2024. After all, the 3-4 defensive front of the team is replacing at least two starters. And for the most part, the player who are returning to lead the charge are not exactly seasoned veterans. Almost all are still playing under the terms of their first NFL rookie contract.

Several who are expected to be primary contributors in 2024 are true rookies.

So if you aren't sold on this group, or are a bit apprehensive, you have good reason to be. This is not a group that has a long and consistent track record to afford the comfort of knowing what to expect.

Still, this is a pretty impressive group. If you consider the team's results from the 2023 NFL Draft, the Rams landed the two best rookie pass rushers from that rookie class in Round 3. Not just one, but two, of the best rookie pass rushers in OLB Byron Young and NT Kobie Turner. And if the frequency and extent of positive reports is any indication, the team repeated their success in the 2024 NFL Draft with OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske.

Perhaps there is a reason that this young but hungry defensive line is looking so mean and raring to go?

As the team prepares for the 2024 NFL season, just over one month away, there are many who only see this defenisve front as the group of no-names who is no longer led by All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald. And if that were true, then the team would truly be in bad shape.

But this is not a group of 'all others' taking the field in 2024. This is a group of young men whose stars are rising in their own right. While they may not end up with NFL careers as accomplished as that of Aaron Donald, they are delivering pretty impressive performances as well. Of the top four returning pass rushers, this group brings 27.5 quarterback sacks with them to 2024. Of the top four returning tacklers, this group brings 366 tackles.

And with this new wave of rookies, there are many more sacks and tackles in store for 2024.

The Rams have spent the first Round 1 pick on a pass rusher, one that was projected to come off the board as early as a Top 10 pick. And then the team doubled down by adding a defensive tackle who, for all intents and purposes, is the equivalent of another Round 1 rookie prospect.

No, this team's defensive front will not be the weakest link in 2024. In fact, this could be one of the strengths of the team. All we know right now is that this group is not predictable. That means great things as well as disappointment is on the table for now.

That is fine with me. The less we know about this defensive front, the less future opponents know about them. And that could be a huge advantage for the Rams.

Thanks for reading.