Between the 2023 and 2024 drafts, the Los Angeles Rams have added four starters to their defensive line. The outside linebackers are set with a combination of Jared Verse, Byron Young, and Michael Hoecht. The interior will be anchored by defensive ends Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. But the question remains; who will fill their nose tackle position?
Is Bobby Brown the Los Angeles Rams Answer At Nose Tackle?
Before the most recent influx of defensive line talent, Bobby Brown was drafted in the 4th round of the 2021 draft. His snap share has increased year over year, but he hasn’t been played consistently in the Rams rotation. Last year, he reached a new career-high watermark, but that was playing just 27.6 percent of defensive snaps. In earlier seasons he sat behind Greg Gaines, but in 2023 he was surpassed by the rookie, Turner.
Turner will likely slide away from the nose and out toward the three and four techniques, leaving the nose up for the taking. So far in Rams training camp, Brown appears to be the position’s heir-apparent.
Rams DC: Skys The Limit For Bobby Brown
But given that he has yet to stand out enough to be given a high snap count, will the Rams see a drop off with Brown taking the lion’s share? The new defensive coordinator thinks Brown is set up for success this year.
“[He needs to] just keep doing what he’s doing. We don’t want him to try to do anything more than he is. We thought he played really well last year and just be available and in good shape and be able to play multiple plays in a row. We think as long as he keeps just putting these good days together, the sky’s the limit for him.”
On its face the outlook is a positive one from Shula, but not without Brown’s ownership of his development. “Be available, in good shape, able to play multiple plays in a row, and putting days together” all fall into a player’s responsibilities.
Bobby Brown enters the final year of his rookie deal on a team not particularly concerned with re-singing their drafted players who don’t meet or exceed expectations.
