One of the Los Angeles Rams’ main focuses during the 2024 offseason was revamping a defense that exceeded expectations last year. The team will feature a revamped defensive line, including their top two draft picks—Jared Verse from Florida State and Braden Fiske—who will join second-year players Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Additionally, the Rams drafted Washington State OLB Brennan Jackson in the fourth round to bolster a group that saw three EDGE rushers selected last year.
With the outside linebacker group becoming increasingly crowded in Los Angeles, what can we anticipate once the hierarchy is established during training camp?
Starters: Jared Verse & Byron Young
The first notable aspect of the combination of Verse and Young is how their skill sets appear complementary on paper. Verse is a physical, aggressive EDGE rusher who makes a strong impact, characterized by his explosiveness rather than speed. Conversely, Young is somewhat undersized but compensates with his speed and relentless effort.
Always fun to see what words come to mind when studying players. Here’s Florida State edge Jared Verse- carnage, rugged, violent, powerful, jolting are a few of the words on my sheet. pic.twitter.com/AqpqBqQ1cX
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 10, 2024
While Young impressed as a rookie, there are questions about his growth potential in the NFL given that he’s already 26. Additionally, he hit the “rookie wall” last season, leading to a significant drop in production during the second half of the year. It’s quite possible, if not likely, that Verse will emerge as the Rams’ best outside linebacker from day one. This expectation is reasonable for the 19th overall pick, whom most draft experts ranked among the top three EDGE rushers in this class.
Estimates of Snap Counts
Last year, Young played 1,021 snaps, including playoffs. However, he might benefit from a reduced role, allowing him to maximize his speed and energy when on the field. A pass rush specialist providing 500 snaps still holds significant value, indicating that Young remains a crucial player for the Rams.
Verse – 1,000 snaps
Young – 600 snaps
Key rotational player: Michael Hoecht
Michael Hoecht has become a polarizing figure among Rams fans. Initially entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent and interior defensive lineman, Hoecht’s notable straight-line speed for his size made him stand out on special teams. With the Rams facing a shortage of healthy EDGE players in the 2022 season, Hoecht transitioned to this position late in the year to support the team. His performance was sufficient to continue in this role through 2023, where he logged over 1,000 snaps.
The issue with Hoecht isn’t his utility—he is undoubtedly a valuable player—but rather that he’s been miscast for much of his tenure with the Rams. While deploying him as an outside linebacker (OLB) is one thing, expecting him to play a full-time starting role and drop into coverage on 256 snaps is another.
If Hoecht is utilized sparingly and in scenarios that suit his strengths, he could be an intriguing asset for new defensive coordinator Chris Shula. The frequent use of Hoecht in coverage is puzzling, especially considering Verse’s limited experience in such roles from college.
Sometimes all you need is patience.
Michael Hoecht moving to EDGE was always going to be a work in progress. Since Week 11, Hoecht has the 6th-highest coverage grade via PFF among EDGE players and his 63.5 passer rating allowed ranks 3rd.
Leads with three PBUs. Has a nice one… pic.twitter.com/qgg3KGoIac
— Blaine Grisak 💠(@bgrisakTST) December 28, 2023
In summary, Hoecht will likely remain a significant presence in 2024, with the hope that he can find a niche that maximizes his unique skills.
