Rams’ linebacker question is answering itself

Nate Landman is emerging as the favorite to start at linebacker

We know the Los Angeles Rams choose not to invest heavily in the linebacker position. Each year continues the revolving door of replacement-level starters and cost-effective band-aids.

As the Rams entered training camp, the starting job in the middle of the defense seemed to be a five-way competition between:

• Troy Reeder – Long-time Ram and multi-year starter
• Omar Speights – Had a strong second half in 2024 as a rookie UDFA
• Nate Landman – Affordable free agent add from the Atlanta Falcons
• Pooh Paul – Rookie fifth round selection out of Ole Miss
• Shaun Dolac – Rookie UDFA from Buffalo

Landman is emerging as the favorite to start

One important tell as to who has the lead on the depth chart is the individual that wears the green dot on their helmet. The player who dons the dot calls defensive signals and receives play calls from defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Defensive back Quentin Lake was tasked with such duties for most of last season, so this is (1) a sign of a shift and (2) a compliment to how the team feels about Landman.

Does this mean the veteran has the starting job cemented heading into the regular season? Far from it. For now, it’s the most important piece of information we have to go off of as we continue to gauge the pecking order.

If you want more info on Landman and his time in Atlanta, this is the post I wrote at the time he signed with the Rams in free agency.

Why Reeder is a good measuring stick

While fans may disagree, we know the team is comfortable asking Troy Reeder to start at linebacker. There’s a reason they brought him back from the free agent market. Beating Reeder out of a job is a positive sign since he effectively becomes the grading curve.

Does that mean if Reeder isn’t starting that he won’t be on the roster? Not necessarily. He’s an important special teams contributor with a wealth of experience with the Rams and in this defensive scheme. The only certainty in the NFL is attrition, and you could do worse in terms of a backup plan.

Paul’s injury is unfortunate

I penciled in Pooh Paul as the starter after the Rams drafted him in the fifth round this spring. He became the highest drafted player by LA at this position other than Ernest Jones, who was selected in the third round.

Like Matthew Stafford and Ahkello Witherspoon, Paul is starting training camp on the sidelines as he nurses a calf injury. This is a tough break for the rookie and likely takes him out of the running to start.

Can Paul push for playing time later in the year? Let’s see him healthy and active in the preseason before we rush to judgement.

Don’t give up on Dolac

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

For a short victory lap, I’d like to point out that I was high on Shaun Dolac before he went undrafted and signed with the Rams.

While you can’t only look at the stat sheet and advanced analytics, this is how Dolac first grabbed by eye. The film backs up the impressive numbers and Dolac is a strong do-it-all linebacker who has coverage capabilities. Yes, Dolac lacks high-end athleticism and this is certainly an advantage Paul has over his rookie teammate; however, hasn’t nearly every starting Rams linebacker in the Sean McVay era left us wanting in terms of their physical profile?

It is probably unrealistic to think that Dolac can unseat Landman—who seems firmly in the driver’s seat—at this point. Dolac is in store for a lot of preseason playing time and I think he will make the most of this opportunity to earn a spot on the roster, show his worth on special teams, and stick on this team for years to come.