ESPN suggests Rams should add a linebacker before start of training camp

ESPN says the Rams should sign LB Kwon Alexander before training camp

One of the biggest holes for the Los Angeles Rams heading into the summer remains at linebacker. Ernest Jones is set up for another big season after turning into one of the best blitzing linebackers in the NFL. With that said, there is still a pretty big hole behind him with Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hummel providing depth at that spot.

At this point, it’s pretty clear that the Rams don’t see a lot of value in the linebacker position when it comes to their defense. The Bobby Wagner signing seemed to be more about capitalizing on an opportunity than a shift in philosophy. That was proven this offseason when despite the clear need for a linebacker, the Rams didn’t even choose to draft one with their 10 selections.

With that said, that hasn’t and won’t stop fans and analysts trying to speak a change at that position into existence. The latest example comes from ESPN’s Aaron Schatz who suggested one final offseason move for each team in the NFL. For the Rams, Schatz suggested free agent linebacker Kwon Alexander. Said Schatz,

“The Rams don’t use their second off-ball linebacker very much, but they could definitely use a veteran upgrade on Christian Rozeboom. Alexander, 30, played reasonably well for the Steelers a season ago, particularly in pass coverage. The Rams could also take a shot on Shaquille Leonard getting back to his past level of play if they want a cheap gamble with a lower floor and a higher ceiling.”

Rozeboom hasn’t necessarily been bad for the Rams, but it’s still obviously a position in which they can upgrade at on the defensive side of the ball. Rozeboom is fine in small doses and on special team, but shouldn’t be depended on as the second linebacker behind Jones. For example, Rozeboom played 30 or more snaps in every game in the first nine weeks of the season last year. That dropped to three times over the season’s final eight games which included the finale against the San Francisco 49ers which was a de facto preseason contest.

Pro Football Focus isn’t gospel, but can also give a visual to this difference. In Weeks 1-9, Rozeboom ranked last out of 58 linebackers to play at least 300 snaps. Even removing the Week 18 game against the 49ers, in Weeks 11-17, ranked 18th out of linebackers who played at least 150 snaps which included an 80.4 grade in coverage.

Rozeboom can be a rotational piece, but shouldn’t be the number two linebacker on a defense. While Kwon Alexander will be 30 going into the season, he played well in coverage in 2023. Among linebackers to play at least 175 coverage snaps last year, he ranked 17th and his 63.3 percent reception percentage allowed was the second-best.

While Alexander or even someone like Justin Simmons would be a nice addition, it’s unlikely that the Rams make that type of move. Last season, the Rams were active during this period, bringing in Ahkello Witherspoon and Demarcus Robinson. However, McVay said last week,

“Probably a little bit different than last year’s approach. What we will do is we’ll look at, alright, where are we at right now? Understanding that there’s still are some limitations in regard to the evaluation process, but what are the resources that we have to be able to have the most competitive team going into camp? And so, probably not to that extent, but to say that there wouldn’t be anything that could come up. I certainly would never say that because if we feel like within our disciplined approach that we want to be able to take. If we can improve the football team, then we will do that.”

The Rams seem like they are pleased with who they currently have on the roster. Of course, never say never, but an addition at this point doesn’t seem to be in the cards. If the right situation or player were to present itself, that may change things. However, at this point in time, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

In terms of the linebacker position, if the Rams don’t make a move, they’ll hope that Rozeboom can build on what was a strong second-half of the season in a smaller role.