The Rams defense is inexperienced, but not young
The issue facing Rams GM Les Snead and VP Tony Pastoors a couple of years ago was not only a lack of defensive talent and available cap space, but the team also didn’t have a first round pick until 2024. The key to rebuilding that defense in such a short period of time, the defense that sacked Sam Darnold nine times in Monday’s win over the Vikings, was to re-stock the roster with players on rookie contracts who could play right away.
The Rams responded by picking some of the oldest players in the draft and minimizing the amount of physical development and emotional maturity necessary to have them play immediately.
It worked.
2023 draft
- OLB Byron Young, 77th overall, 25-years-old
- DT Kobie Turner, 89th overall, 24-years-old
Young was tied as the second oldest player in his draft and the same age as teammate Stetson Bennett, a fourth round pick. Young posted 1.5 sacks on Monday, which gives him 9 over 18 total games.
Turner had 2 sacks, giving him 10 in 18 games.
Sack leaders from the 2023 Draft (regular season + playoffs):
1. Will Anderson, HOU – 20.5 (3rd overall)
2. Kobie Turner, LAR – 19.5 (89th overall)
3. Byron Young, LAR – 17.0 (77th overall)No other player from the class has 14+ sacks https://t.co/GtgdPnEtIe pic.twitter.com/9EqZCoHOpf
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 14, 2025
Young…isn’t: He turns 27 in March.
Turner turners 26 in April.
They won’t even be free agents until 2026.
The Rams also picked 24-year-olds Ochaun Mathis and Desjuan Johnson, with the latter getting his second sack in as many games and potentially another building block in 2025.
There was also 23-year-old picks Nick Hampton, Tre’vius Thompson, and Jason Taylor. Not all picks work out, as “all picks” never do, but the strategy was clear. On offense, the Rams also went with experience when it came to second rounder Steve Avila.
2024 draft
- DT Braden Fiske, 39th overall, 24-years-old
- DE Jared Verse, 19th overall, 23-years-old
Only six players drafted in 2024 were older than Fiske, with one of those being a punter. Fiske now has 9 sacks in 18 games.
Verse took his time in college, returned to Florida State for another year in 2023, and has been one of the hardest edge rushers in the NFL to get a clean rep against. He’s just that physically mature and ready for this level.
The Rams 2024 class was experienced pretty much across the board, including sixth round steal Beaux Limmer, who will be 24 in June.
The Rams were in a bind. They found the answers in the draft by targeting players who didn’t need as much development and it also turns out they have pretty high ceilings.
