Entering this offseason, the Los Angeles Rams were looking at Alec Ogletree and possibly Mark Barron as their starting linebackers. Both struggled mightily in 2017 as they transitioned to Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme, all the while battling their own respective injuries.
Fast-forward a few months and the Rams are left with just Barron from that pairing. He was the least likely of the two to remain in Los Angeles given his $10 million cap hit and poor fit at inside linebacker. There’s a chance he could still be released or traded, but that’s anyone’s guess, at this point.
The Rams began to address the position on Thursday by signing free agent linebacker Ramik Wilson, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s a one-year deal that’s relatively low-risk for the team, bringing aboard a player with experience in a 3-4 defense who’s also good against the run.
Two boxes checked right there.
However, Wilson isn’t likely to be an every-down starter for all 16 games. He has his limitations, which is what caused him to fall out of favor in Kansas City. He’s not the prototypical “thumper” that the Rams need in the middle of their defense, though Phillips has made due without premier talent at that position in the past.
Still, signing Wilson shouldn’t change what the Rams do in the draft. They would still be wise to spend one of their first four picks on an inside linebacker – even if they hold onto Barron into next season.
Los Angeles’ Achilles’ heel in 2017 was its run defense. It ranked 28th in yards per game and 30th in yards per attempt allowed, which isn’t good by any measure. Repeatedly, the Rams were gashed for big gains, surrendering long touchdowns to opposing backs.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
No matter how good your pass defense is, it’s difficult to field a dominant defense when you allow 122 rushing yards per game. Not to mention, the Rams will face the likes of David Johnson twice in 2018, along with Melvin Gordon, Kareem Hunt, Jordan Howard, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara and potentially Saquon Barkley, depending on what the Broncos and 49ers do in the draft.
Stopping the run has to be priority No. 1 with the way the Rams’ defense is currently structured, so why not go out and get a stout run defender like Rashaan Evans or Leighton Vander Esch? Those are two of the front-runners to be the pick at No. 23, both of whom would fill a major need.
Again, Wilson is a fine player, but he’s not someone who’s going to greatly impact the defense. That player will come in the draft.