Rams defense must do something that few other NFL defenses have done in 2024

Nobody is looking for big games from these defenders

The Rams roster is dropping jaws and opening some eyes wide so far in 2024. Not only are 2023 rookies who shocked the league picking right up where they left off, but the rookie class of 2024 has been absolutely superb this season. And the draft class of 2024 has been reinforced with a few undrafted players who seem to have a bright future of professional football. Such as:

Reason 2 - Since the LA Rams have swapped out injured veteran ILB Troy Reeder for undrafted LSU rookie ILB Omar Speights, this defense has taken on an entirely new persona. Speights has seen playing time on the Rams' defense over the past four games and started three of the past four contests. When he started, the LA Rams allowed far fewer rushing yards than expected:

• Week 8 - Minnesota VIkings - Season average 116.4 YPG - 64 yards vs. Rams
• Week 10 - Miami Dolphins - Season average 122.0 YPG - 67 yards vs. Rams
• Week 11 - New England Patriots - Season average 115.3 YPG - 125 yards vs Rams ( * - 27 yards due to the scrambling ability of QB Drake Maye)

It's pretty clear that even after the Patriots game, the Rams' ability to stop the run has been far greater after inserting Omar Speights onto the football field than before. After all, the approach taken by both Reeder and teammate Christian Rozeboom was to settle in 5-6 yards behind the line of scrimmage, follow the play, and let the running back come to them. While that ensured that they ended games with many tackles, they played like big safeties.

Speights takes the fight to the ball carrier. And that meeting in the hole shaves about two or three yards off every run. While that puts him in the face of offensive linemen, he frees up teammates to stuff the run as well.

Reason 1 - The LA Rams' young defense is starting to congeal at the right time. Despite early growing pains and some miscues with the wrong people in the wrong positions, the team has fought through adversity to emerge as a rapidly improving defense. The Rams are not just a bunch of fervent pass rushers. This defense has blocker-gobblers and run stuffers too.

Some under the radar names of players who are very effective against the run include DT Bobby Brown III, DE Jonah Williams, DT Tyler Davis, ILB Jacob Hummel. They join players who are also effective at rushing the passer, like NT Kobie Turner, DT Braden Fiske, OLB Byron Young, Michael Hoecht, and Jared Verse.

There is no single person on the defense that is tasked with stopping the run. They all chip in to do so. The defense started the season dead last at run defense. By mid-season, they have improved to 18th. Perhaps after a solid Week 12, they will climb a bit further in the rankings.

As always, thanks for reading

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