Rams look inside, outside for help at linebacker spots
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The last time the Rams had an first-team All-Pro or Pro Bowl linebacker was so long ago, they were playing in Los Angeles — before the moves to St. Louis and back.
Rams linebackers Jack Reynolds, Jim Collins, Carl Ekern and Kevin Greene earned end-of-season honors in the 1980s. Since then, the Rams have had good players at inside and outside linebackers, but not great ones. Robert Quinn made the Pro Bowl in 201314, but as a defensive end, and Cory Littleton did it in 2018, but as a special-teams standout.
Here’s one explanation, at least recently: The Rams haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first or second round since they took future second-team All Pro Alec Ogletree with the 30th pick overall in 2013, making it the team’s longest-ignored position group.
This might be the year to change that.
Several promising linebackers should be available when the Rams draft in the second round with No. 57 overall, and then twice in the third with Nos. 88 and 103, among their six scheduled picks April 29-May 1.
They need upgrades at inside linebacker, where the Rams have Micah Kiser and Travin Howard returning from injuries along with Troy Reeder and Kenny Young.
They need help at outside linebacker, too, after re-signing Leonard Floyd but losing free agent Samson Ebukam to the 49ers, leaving Ogbonnia Okororonkwo, Justin Hollins and often-injured 2020 thirdround pick Terrell Lewis next on the roster.
Here’s a look at some of the intriguing college linebackers who might be available when the Rams draft:
Inside linebackers
JABRIL COX, LSU » Cox played on three FCS champions at North Dakota State before transferring to LSU in 2020 and excelling at college football’s top level, moving into the second or third round in many forecasts.
The 6-foot-3, 232-pounder played quarterback and several other offensive and defensive positions in high school and will contribute to someone’s run and pass defense. JAMIN DAVIS, KENTUCKY » Davis didn’t become a starter until his senior season at Kentucky, but the talent he showed there and a strong pro day performance moved him up in the ratings.
As with many inexperienced players, there’s a range of opinion about how soon Davis would be ready to start in the NFL, so he could slide into the Rams’ draft range.
CHAZZ SURRATT, NORTH CAROLINA » Not only did Surratt play quarterback in high school in North Carolina — winning the Parade National Player of the Year Award — he started his Tar Heels career at that position before moving to linebacker as a junior and being named All-ACC.
He’s another who might still be learning to play linebacker. But that’s the sort of question mark that can land a talented prospect in day two of the draft, when the Rams get active.
AMONG OTHERS TO WATCH » Cameron McGrone, Michigan; Pete Werner, Ohio State.
Outside linebackers
JOE TRYON, WASHINGTON » The Rams might not obsess about hundredths-ofsecond differences in draft prospects’ 40-yard times, but Tryon’s 4.5-second clocking at Washington’s pro day was impressive for a linebacker.
The question is how much the 6-foot-5, 259-pounder was set back in his development by opting out of the 2020 season after the Pac-12 announced its pandemic postponement.
JOSEPH OSSAI, TEXAS »
The Nigeria-born Ossai was named first-team AllAmerica in 2020, tying for fourth in the nation with 16 tackles for loss.
That was his first year on the edge after he switched from inside linebacker for his junior (final) college season.
RONNIE PERKINS, OKLAHOMA » There are questions about whether he’d be better as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense (like the Rams’) or a defensive end in a 4-3, but overall there are raves for his pass-rushing effectiveness.
If the Rams are interested, no doubt they’ve looked into Perkins’ offthe-field life. He was suspended for six games after reportedly testing positive for marijuana. He has called the drug use a “bad decision.”
AMONG OTHERS TO WATCH »
Quincy Roche, Miami; Rashad Weaver, Pitt.