Countdown to Camp is a series breaking down the Rams roster by position group heading into the team's first open training camp practice. The fourth installment examines the linebackers and outside linebackers.
The middle of the Rams' defense will bring experience across all roles going into this year's training camp.
Ernest Jones IV holds down linebacker entering his fourth season, with Christian Rozeboom also bringing three seasons' worth of experience. Troy Reeder has five seasons under his belt.
Comparing to previous seasons' 53-man rosters, it would be the first time in the McVay era the projected top 3 inside linebackers have at least three years of experience within the Rams defense (veteran players who signed and played one year for the team excluded).
There is less experience at outside linebacker, but still plenty to watch.
The tandem of Byron Young – who finished with 8 sacks, tied for second-most among all NFL rookies last season – and Michael Hoecht manned the edges. Young has one season of experience, Hoecht three, but last season was Hoecht's first playing outside linebacker full time. That rotation also now includes first-round pick Jared Verse, who had 9 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick in his final season at Florida State. Verse can win with different pass-rush moves, but his speed-to-power combined with Young's speed presents intriguing possibilities.
Collectively, the second level of Los Angeles' defense will be worth watching closely throughout training camp, between Jones continuing to work with defensive coordinator Chris Shula and developing that rapport between the green dot and the playcaller, and what the edge rotation looks like as the Rams construct their post-Aaron Donald pass rush.
