Ty Hamilton is still fighting for a larger role, but the Rams like what they see

Defensive tackle Ty Hamilton will have a tough time getting reps this season. The Ohio State product is stuck on the depth chart behind a stacked starting group plus Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis on the bench. Los Angeles Rams fans shouldn't expect to see much more of Hamilton than his 138 rookie snaps. 

Still, winning favor from defensive coordinator Chris Shula could leave the door open for Hamilton to earn a meaningful role. Speaking Monday, Shula highlighted the former fifth-round pick as a summer standout: 

"I thought he did an awesome job in camp, where [defensive line coach Giff Smith] really challenged him to play physical, play fast, play tough. You know, as a rookie we thought he was kind of thinking and hesitating a bit too much."

For a player in Hamilton's young, inexperienced shoes, implementing coaches' instructions is the fastest way to climb the ranks in a crowded rotation. 

Rams like what they saw from Hamilton this summer, but he'll still be fighting for reps

Of course, putting pointers into practice may not be enough for a bump in playing time. Even accounting for a new and improved version of himself, it's difficult to imagine Hamilton taking priority over Fiske at defensive end or Davis at nose tackle when the Rams bring out the reserves. 

Aaron Donald's unretirement has turned an already packed rotation into standing-room only. There aren't enough snaps to satisfy all the mouths to feed. 

Whether or not Donald plays in Week 1, it's safe to assume he's eyeing a workload in the neighborhood of 500-plus snaps. His return has already bumped Fiske to the bench. Barring injury, both Fiske and Davis will see less work than they did a year ago. 

That's even with veteran Larrell Murchison falling to the practice squad. The Rams have so little room that they released rookie nose tackle Tim Keenan III. In other words, Hamilton will most likely have to make do with table scraps. 

Even in limited playing time, though, he can vindicate Shula's positive impression by being more effective than he was as a rookie. PFF awarded Hamilton an abysmal 29.9 overall grade; he simply didn't make many plays. 

More than anything, this season will be about establishing himself as a central cog next season, when Donald may be back on his couch with a Super Bowl ring on each hand. That will create an extra slot on the depth chart and bump up existing members like Hamilton. 

The Rams traded two picks, No. 195 and a 2026 fourth-rounder, to draft him 148th overall last year, so hopefully the investment pays off at some point. Perhaps this season offers a glimpse in that direction.

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