The Rams' pass rush rightfully got the attention it deserved last season, but one defensive lineman who didn't get as much attention as he probably deserved was nose tackle Bobby Brown III, especially for how he played against the run.
The biggest example: His penetration – in tandem with inside linebacker Omar Speights – that helped stonewall Seahawks running back Ken Walker III on fourth-and-one from the Los Angeles 16 in overtime and set up the game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson.
With 2024 marking the final year of his rookie contract, Brown is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year arrives on March 12.
By re-signing Brown, the Rams would bring back into the fold a 24-year-old defensive lineman who played well alongside an ascending young defensive front. That youth, and Brown's 6-foot-4, 328-pound frame, would be helpful to retain Los Angeles' run defense. According to Next Gen Stats, Brown's 29 stops – defined as tackles that result in a successful play for the defense – were the third-most of any Rams defensive lineman for the 2024 season, behind only Braden Fiske (38) and Kobie Turner (52).
If Brown and the Rams go separate ways, the Rams internally could turn toward former Clemson standout Tyler Davis (6-2, 300), whom they selected in the sixth round of last year's draft. L.A. has obviously used the draft before to add nose tackles or defensive tackles. Free agency has been rarer in the Sean McVay-Les Snead era (since 2017, the only interior defensive line signings have been the re-signings of Michael Brockers and signing Ndomukong Suh).
