ESPN suggests Rams should sign this free agent linebacker ahead of training camp

ESPN suggests Rams should sign this free agent linebacker ahead of training camp

The Los Angeles Rams have steadily built up the depth of their roster over the offseason, investing heavily into the defensive side of the ball to help replace Aaron Donald "in the aggregate". The team spent heavily on the defensive line and in the secondary, but largely left their linebacker room untouched, opting to invest cheaply in retaining last year's group.

Linebacker depth isn't a huge need for a team largely depending on Ernest Jones, but the room needs some new talent added in to boost it and reinforce their weakest position. ESPN has the same idea.

In ESPN's latest article about one final move for all 32 teams before camp, the final move the Rams should do is sign free agent linebacker Kwon Alexander. Alexander spent 2023 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The Rams don't use their second off-ball linebacker very much, but they could definitely use a veteran upgrade on Christian Rozeboom. Alexander, 30, played reasonably well for the Steelers a season ago, particularly in pass coverage. The Rams could also take a shot on Shaquille Leonard getting back to his past level of play if they want a cheap gamble with a lower floor and a higher ceiling."

I've made the case that safety Justin Simmons should be their key free agent signing, given their limited cap space, but Alexander wouldn't be a bad addition either. If anything else, it gives them another player to deploy in sub-packages and lets them rest guys like Jones and Christian Rozeboom. Linebackers are starting to increase in importance, especially with the recent return to power running and two-high defenses, and you can never have too many of them.

In a rotational role for the Steelers last season, Alexander posted 34 tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception.