Tyler Davis could be surprisingly under pressure as Rams approach Week 2

Defensive tackle Tyler Davis was superficially productive in Week 1 against the Niners, recording seven tackles in the game. As for many of his Los Angeles Rams teammates, however, it was not a good day for Davis. 

His 31.1 PFF grade ranked 100th out of 107 interior defenders in Week 1, and he graded out especially poorly against the run. Familiar story, that. The entire Rams front was shoved around all day.

With Aaron Donald nearing a return and Ty Hamilton waiting in the wings, Davis will have to be a lot better moving forward or risk losing his place on the totem pole.

Rams need Tyler Davis to be the sturdy force they know

His most notable play was an egregious roughing-the-passer headbutt, with the 49ers facing second-and-three. What would have been an incomplete pass became a fifteen-yard penalty and a first down, on a sack attempt that was doomed from the start. Davis never had his pads lined up right for a clean hit. 

The Rams can't afford a lack of discipline as they attempt to right the ship in Week 2. They need every member of the defense buttoned up and at attention, particularly on the defensive front. 

Donald's return would naturally bump Davis down in the pecking order. He and Braden Fiske would back up a starting crew of Donald, Kobie Turner, and nose tackle Poona Ford. 

Davis and Ford shared the field at times against San Francisco, but Davis was also Ford's primary backup up the middle last season. He'll be fighting to retain that role as Hamilton makes his case.

While Davis began the year firmly ahead on the depth chart, he could slip quickly. The Rams can't afford to hand out passes if last week's play keeps up, and that goes for everyone.

Against the 49ers Davis saw 32 snaps on defense, slightly above his weekly average last season. Hamilton took the field for 12 plays (plus five on special teams), so he's already in the mix after securing his roster spot early in the preseason. Fiske, the rare Rams pass rusher who recorded multiple pressures in Week 1, will hog future reps at defensive end if Davis lets him, once Donald is back.

This isn't about throwing Davis under the bus. The Rams aren't about to. He was one of their most reliable backups last season, supplying versatile depth behind Ford. Davis earned nearly an upper-quartile PFF grade and was particularly stout in run defense. He's a key cog up front. 

The hope is that Week 1 was an outlier, for the entire team and for Davis as well. With Donald about to debut and Hamilton looking for a Year 2 leap, opportunities won't grow on trees. He'll have to stiffen up against the run and be a bit more disciplined or his teammates will pluck those chances from him. 

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