Rams training camp could be dominated by a player nobody saw coming

The Los Angeles Rams ran a rapid but rather tight rotation along the team's defensive front last season. For the team's five-man front, the majority of snaps were handled by just eight players. The team rotated at the outside linebacker position primarily between OLBs Jared Verse, Byron Young, and Michael Hoecht. And among the down linemen, the team rotated at nose tackle between Bobby Brown III and Neville Gallimore, and among Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Tyler Davis.

Yes, DE Desjuan Johnson, OLBs Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton, and Keir Thomas saw some action too. But the majority of their work fell on Week 18, when the team's starters sat out. But the heavy lifting throughout the season was handled by eight players.

The thing is, three of those players have signed on elsewhere. OLB Michael Hoecht has since signed on with the Buffalo Bills, NT Bobby Brown III signed with the Carolina Panthers, and NT Neville Gallimore has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Rams must backfill those players, and divvy up their vacated defensive snaps.

Rams training camp could be dominated by a player nobody saw coming

The first reaction of fans is to turn and try to discern which of the team's new additions will claim the lion's share of the workload. While that is a logical choice, let's try something a bit different this time. We already know who is expected to show up in 2025. But who could dominate in 2025 that nobody saw coming?

Believe it or not, the answer can be found in the trio of Rams defensive linemen who worked with former Rams DL Aaron Donald's trainer, Krav Maga expert Al Poodie Carson. The three players who enrolled to better their skills were Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Tyler Davis.

Everyone knows to expect big things from Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske this season. But follow me a bit further out on a limb, and let's ponder why DT Tyler Davis can erupt in his second NFL season.

Davis is working out to learn Krav Maga techniques with his teammates. And the benefit of that training is evident in the All-Pro NFL career of DT Aaron Donald. So it's save to conclude that Tyler Davis is going to have a much better season in 2025.

What about Tyler Davis makes his 2025 NFL season so intriguing?

While fans and analysts peer over 2024 statistics in an attempt to glean who may rise to the call of a larger role in 2025, something gets lost in the translation. The Rams defense is the brainchild of a new defensive coordinator, DC Chris Shula. So this is a new system, with new roles, and will mean new responsibilities for players. And if you look back at who got work last season, you will discover that rookie defensive lineman Tyler Davis was surprisingly active.

Davis appeared in 16 games, played 299 defensive snaps, and recorded 29 tackles, two tackles for a loss, 0.5 quarterback sacks, and one quarterback pressure. In the 2025 NFL Playoffs, he made seven tackles in 56 defensive snaps. But keep in mind that was his rookie season.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 300 pounds, Davis is a versatile defender who can slide among any Rams defensive line position. And until rookie Ty Hamilton gets up to speed, Davis could be a real option at nose tackle to rest Poona Ford.

It was clear from his snap count that Davis was entrusted with an ever-larger role in the defense as the season wore on in 2024. Since he seems to be on the rise in Shula's defense, it makes sense to raise the bar of expectations for him this year.

The Rams will have other defenders vying for snaps. But the team will need to ensure a balance remains intact for those star performers to ensure they remain rested and healthy throughout a 17-game season. DL Tyler Davis could successfully double his workload this season with little risk of injury or fatigue. And even that increase could skyrocket Davis to among the team's top-10 tacklers for 2025.

It all starts in training camp. And right now, the Rams training camp could be dominated by a player nobody saw coming. Unless you are a reader of Ramblin Fan, of course. Then you know what to expect. As always, thanks for reading.

You may enjoy these recent Rams schedule articles