The number one question for the Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay heading into the 2024 season is what will the defensive line look like in the absence of Aaron Donald. For the last 10 years, they built the entire defense around Donald and his skill set.
Now heading into the season, the Rams have opted for a youth movement to rebuild the line. Rather than chasing high-priced free agents or using draft capital to trade for a proven commodity, they used nine of 24 (37.5%) draft picks over the last two years to address their defensive line needs.
Two of those picks have already made the starting roster, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. Both 2024’s first-round pick Jared Verse and second-rounder, Braden Fiske are expected to do the same this year.
Sean McVay Shares Optimism for Defensive Line
Sean McVay was asked about where the defensive line stands now on a recent appearance on The Athletic Football Show with Robert Mays
“I think we got some young guys that have a chance. I think Kobie Turner is a really good player you mentioned. We’ve got some other young guys, I think Bobby Brown made some has made a really good jump last year and I’m expecting that much more from him.”
“We draft Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis. Then on the edges, I think Byron Young is going to take a major leap. I thought Michael Hoecht is a really versatile player that we can do a better job even utilizing his skill set to not put him in some of the harder downs that he was in last year. And I’m really excited about Jared Verse and what we can do with that front. What that looks like and how it really unfolds organically.”
“I thought it was a really good spring. Robert I really enjoyed watching those guys get better you can’t put the pads on and I’m looking forward to getting to camp next week and really getting this thing rolling.”
More Context About the Los Angeles Rams Defensive Line
Turner shone the brightest last year, finishing the season with nine sacks earning him the third most Defensive Rookie of the Year votes. Young started off as the hot hand, but his pressure numbers tapered off after Week 7.
Bobby Brown is on the final year of his rookie contract. After being draft in the fourth round in 2021, Brown has struggled to find a major role for himself. He played the most snaps of his career last season, just 313 or 28 percent of the teams total defensive snaps.
Michael Hoecht was moved from the interior to the edge in 2023. He was able to rank 4th among Los Angeles Rams in quarterback pressures but was a liability when in coverage. Opponents caught on to this and exploited it. Among edge rushers, Hoecht was forced into coverage the most, by a long shot. He played 256 snaps in coverage, 109 more times than the next leading defender.
McVay mentions three of the defensive linemen drafted this year, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, and Jared Verse. He singled out Verse as one he was excited about.
