This young Rams star is obvious next extension needed, and it's not even close

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner has turned out pretty well for an 89th overall draft pick. His seven sacks last season ranked third on the team, a half-sack behind linebacker Jared Verse in second place. In three NFL seasons, Turner has 24 sacks total, and that hardly captures his impact. He does a lot more than just fill up box scores.

Per Pro Football Focus, the Wake Forest product finished fifth in the league in pressures (55) and second in quarterback hurries (40). Among interior linemen, Turner ranked sixth out of 134 with a PFF grade of 83.1. Most valuable of all? He gave the Blue and Yellow all that production while carrying a cap hit under $1.5 million. 

In 2026, he'll be entering the final year of his rookie contract. It won't be cheap, but LA has every incentive to lock him in long-term before he hits the open market. Give the man an extension already.

Rams would be wise to pay Turner before rival teams have a chance to steal him

According to Spotrac salary projections, Turner's next contract should fall in the range of four years and $100 million. That's a load of dough. With upcoming extension talks for defensive end Byron Young and receiver Puka Nacua as well, the Rams' payroll is about to be a headache. 

Unfortunately, that's the cost of retaining elite young talent. With Turner, the front office shouldn't wait around for negotiations. He's set to turn 27 in April, in the thick of his prime, and he's an anchor on the defensive front, particularly in the pass rush but also against the run. The Rams need to grab the bull by the horns, as it were, and secure Turner's place as a centerpiece of their defense for years to come. 

Given the roster's other financial uncertainties, which include adding possible incentives to Matthew Stafford's contract next year, getting Turner's extension done could offer some financial clarity. While expensive, he won't cost nearly as much as Young or Nacua. They are projected for contracts with an annual salary of at least $36 million, with a total contract value in excess of $145 million.

If the Stafford era comes to a close after next season, the Rams will know they have an extra chunk of cap space. In the meantime, committing to Turner would leave them with more money to work with as they hand out contracts for the 2027 season and beyond. 

By overall value, the Conductor isn't all that far off from Young, despite the latter's more frequent appearance in highlight reels and greater earning potential as a pass-rushing linebacker. In their respective three-year careers, Football Reference assigns Turner an approximate value (AV) of 21, while Young has 26. Last season, the fellow classmen of the 2023 draft posted AVs of 10 and 12, respectively. Among edge rushers, Young's 84.9 PFF grade ranked ninth out of 115. 

If LA and Turner can agree on a reasonable deal, Los Angeles should waste no time putting pen to paper to lock in Turner for the foreseeable future.