The Los Angeles Rams suffered a significant blow to their defensive line this weekend when Bobby Brown III sprained his MCL against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’ll sideline him for 5-7 weeks, Sean McVay says, which makes him almost certain to land on injured reserve.
The Rams’ defensive line was already lacking size, with Brown being the biggest player up front at 324 pounds, so they could be looking for help. If they’re considering signing a free agent, these five players are potential targets for the Rams – all of whom would come relatively cheap.
1
Matt Ioannidis
Ioannidis brings good size to the defensive line and while he’s not a traditional nose tackle like Brown is, he can play 3-technique which would allow Kobie Turner to play over the center a bit more. He had 35 total pressures in 13 games with the Panthers last season and had a PFF grade of 66.4, which is about his career average; he’s never had a season grade lower than 61.0 or higher than 71.9.
As a veteran with good pass-rushing upside at his size, Ioannidis would make a ton of sense for the Rams while Brown is out.
2
Akiem Hicks
Hicks is a similar size to Brown, standing 6-foot-5 and 324 pounds. He’s a proven veteran who’s nearing the end of his career, but he showed last season that he can still contribute. He finished 2022 with a PFF grade of 61.8 and 18 total stops, and while it was the lowest defensive grade of his career, he was a very impactful player when healthy just a few years ago.
Hicks is better suited to play defensive tackle but he certainly has the size to play the nose in the Rams’ scheme.
3
Mike Pennel
Pennel struggled last season with the Bears, finishing the year with a 45.8 defensive grade. He’s not going to offer much as a pass rusher, recording just five pressures last season, but he can help plug up holes on the interior with his 332-pound frame.
Despite struggling as a pass rusher last year, he had 19 total stops, which were the second-most in any season in his career.
4
Linval Joseph
Joseph is a true nose tackle. He’s 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds, and over the course of his career, he’s traditionally lined up over the center as a two-gap player. He had a down year in 2022 with the Eagles, recording just three pressures and two stops, but in his two years with the Chargers from 2020-2021, he had 28 and 29 stops and 42 total pressures.
Joseph would be the most seamless replacement for Brown at nose tackle, given his size and experience playing the position, but he’s not going to be a three-down player.
5
Michael Brockers
Brockers was benched by the Lions last season and then cut this offseason, and he’s remained available up to this point. He’s at the end of his career and it’s unclear if he wants to continue playing, but he would help shore up the run defense in a limited role with the Rams. Not to mention, he’s had experience in Los Angeles’ system and remains close with Donald, so that’s an added bonus.
On a young team, having a leader like Brockers would be a benefit beyond just what he brings to the field.
