The calendar has turned to March, which means the start of the new league year – March 17, 1 p.m. pacific time – and free agency isn't far away.
Ahead of this pivotal time in the offseason, theRams.com will be breaking down the team's roster with an overview of the players currently under contract and those who are scheduled to become free agents, as well as their 2020 stats.
The series continues with a look at the linebackers:
Currently under contract
- ILB Micah Kiser: Tied for third on the team with 55 total tackles in 2020 despite being limited to nine games due to injury, also chipping in three pass breakups and one forced fumble.
- ILB Troy Reeder: Second-leading tackler with 81 total, plus three sacks and two pass breakups while playing in all 16 games (seven starts). Did not miss a regular season game for second-straight year.
- ILB Kenny Young: Starting alongside Reeder when Kiser was injured, made 52 total tackles, one sack, two pass breakups and returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown while playing in all 16 games (six starts).
- LB Justin Hollins: Signed because of his familiarity with then-defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's scheme (both worked together in Denver), versatility to play either inside or outside linebacker and added value as a special teams contributor, tallied 28 total tackles, three sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble while playing in all 16 games.
- OLB Terrell Lewis: Atrophy from a knee procedure he underwent in the preseason – due to infection concerns from a previous procedure – delayed 2020 third-round pick's debut until Week 5, then missed Weeks 12-15 as a precautionary approach to reduce swelling in his knee. Made five tackles (two for loss) and two sacks in the eight games he was active and healthy.
- OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: Made 12 total tackles, one sack and one pass breakup in 10 games.
- OLB Justin Lawler: Spent 2020 season on injured reserve after sustaining a preseason foot injury.
- LB Derrick Moncrief (Reserve/Future): Signed in the offseason after spending 2017-19 playing in the Canadian Football League, spent most of the 2020 season on the team's practice squad.
- LB Christian Rozeboom (Reserve/Future): Signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State, spent the 2020 season on the team's practice squad.
- LB Travin Howard: Spent 2020 season on injured reserve after sustaining a torn meniscus during training camp. Tendered as an exclusive rights free agent on March 4.
Scheduled to become a free agent
- OLB Leonard Floyd (unrestricted - Free Agent Spotlight): Produced career-high 10.5 sacks on one-year deal last season, also adding 55 total tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries while starting in all 16 games.
- OLB Samson Ebukam (unrestricted - Free Agent Spotlight): A fourth-round draft pick in 2017, tallied 31 total tackles (five for loss) plus 4.5 sacks while starting opposite Floyd in 14 of 16 games.
Take a look at upcoming Los Angeles Rams free agents prior to the start of the new league year on March 17, 2021.
OL Coleman Shelton – Second-year pro who appeared in 15 games last season as a reserve, providing depth to the offensive line.
TE Gerald Everett –Collected 62 catches for 417 yards (plus one touchdown) in 2020 to maintain double-digit career yards-per-reception average.
OLB Samson Ebukam –Produced 31 total tackles (five for loss), plus 4.5 sacks in 2020 while starting in 14 of 16 games played.
Linebacker (50) Samson Ebukam of the Los Angeles Rams tackles (3) Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 23-16 victory over the Seahawks in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
C Austin Blythe – Started all 16 games at center in 2020 and has been praised by Rams head coach Sean McVay for his command and communication.
RB Malcolm Brown – Given the nickname "Mr. Reliable" by position coach Thomas Brown (no relation), finished the 2020 season as the team's third-leading rusher (419 yards) and tied with fellow running back Darrell Henderson Jr. for most rushing touchdowns on the team (five). Also contributing as a receiver and pass-blocker while mentoring a young running back room.
QB Blake Bortles – Signed off the Broncos' practice squad in late December for depth following Jared Goff's thumb injury, but did not appear in any games.
CB Troy Hill – Returned two interceptions for touchdowns and one fumble for a touchdown while also providing positional flexibility to the Rams' secondary. Three total interceptions tied with rookie safety Jordan Fuller for second-most on the team, 77 total tackles tied with linebacker Micah Kiser for third-most on the team.
DL Morgan Fox –Career-high six sacks last season, plus eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups while playing in all 16 games (two starts).
Morgan Fox of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with Justin Hollins during game action while playing against the New York Jets during the Rams 20-23 loss to the Jets during a Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
LS Jake McQuaide – Has played in every regular season game in his 10 years with the Rams and provided crucial stability to their special teams.
OLB Leonard Floyd –Set a new career high with 10.5 sacks while starting all 16 games in 2020. Also tallied 12.5 tackles for loss, second-most on the Rams defense behind DL Aaron Donald's 19.5.
LB Travin Howard –Missed the 2020 season with a torn meniscus sustained in the preseason. During his last healthy season (2019), tallied 22 total tackles and three pass breakups in 16 games.
DE Derek Rivers - Claimed off waivers from the Patriots in late October, was primarily a special teams contributor who also saw some action on defense over Rams' final five regular season games.
S John Johnson III –Trusted by former Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley to be the unit's on-field signal-caller, made a team-high 105 tackles while starting in all 16 games in 2020.
TE Johnny Mundt – Stepping up in place of an injured Tyler Higbee in Week 7, delivered three receptions for 48 yards – including a key 34-yard catch-and-run to set up a 22-yard field goal – in a Monday Night Football win over the Bears.
Tight end (82) Johnny Mundt of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass and runs against the Chicago Bears during the Rams 24-10 victory over the Bears in a Week 7 NFL Monday Night Football Game, Monday, October 26, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
CB Darious Williams –Snagged team-high four interceptions in breakout fourth season starting opposite Jalen Ramsey.
WR Josh Reynolds –Chipped in 52 receptions for 618 yards – both good for third-most among Rams receivers last year – plus two touchdowns while playing in all 16 games.
Wide receiver (11) Josh Reynolds of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the Rams 24-10 victory over the Bears in a Week 7 NFL Monday Night Football Game, Monday, October 26, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
