The Los Angeles Rams offseason rumor mill is currently fixated on the fate of Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp but with the opening of free agency rapidly approaching the team’s focus must shift to a holistic view.
Among the Rams’ top priorities will be addressing linebacker, a need that the Rams created by trading Ernest Jones ahead of the season rather than extending him beyond his rookie contract.
With both Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom entering free agency, this leaves the Rams poised to rely on the sophomore undrafted free agent Omar Speights as a projected starter at one of the inside linebacker positions.
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While the position has been typically undervalued by the Rams, The 33rd Team makes the case for the team to go after 2024 breakout linebacker Zack Baun.
Baun’s early NFL career was marked by little. Drafted in the third round by the New Orleans Saints in 2020, he primarily served as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor for his first four seasons. However, the Philadelphia Eagles and their defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, recognized Baun’s untapped potential. In 2024, he emerged as one of the league’s most dominant off-ball linebackers, amassing 152 combined tackles, five forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, ultimately earning him votes for Defensive Player of the Year.
Los Angeles Rams Urged To Spend Big At LB, Sign Zack Baun
“The Los Angeles Rams replaced Aaron Donald with one of the most exciting young defensive fronts in football. Now, they just need a legitimate linebacker at the second level to take their defense to the next level. Jared Verse was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading the NFL with an absurd 89 pressures in his first season as a pro. Meanwhile, the Rams have found other key first- and second-year players up front who have shined in Kobie Turner, Byron Young, and Braden Fiske.
That leaves a clear opening for an established veteran like Baun. With more than $35 million in cap space to work with before a move to part with Cooper Kupp, the Rams have the financial flexibility to take a swing at a key free agent like the Eagles star.“