The Los Angeles Rams shockingly traded Ernest Jones just before the start of the 2024 season, leaving them without their top linebacker. They got by with Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom and Omar Speights, but it might be time to address the position more intentionally this offseason.
That’s exactly what they do in this mock draft from Curt Popejoy of Draft Wire. In Round 1, the Rams select South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., who’s a rangy linebacker with impressive athleticism.
Last season at South Carolina, Knight recorded 82 total tackles with eight tackles for a loss, one interception and two sacks. It was his first and only season with the Gamecocks after previously playing at Georgia Tech (2019-2022) and Charlotte (2023).
In an interview with Justin Melo of The Draft Network, Knight called himself “an athletic linebacker who can play in space,” which perfectly describes the type of player the Rams need in the middle of their defense.
With all the experience he’s accumulated in college, he’s a mature player, which fits the mold of what Les Snead and Sean McVay look for.
What makes Knight particularly intriguing for the Rams is his coverage ability. That would complement Speights’ downhill playing style, giving Los Angeles a defender who can drop back and take away throws over the middle of the field, which the defense has been lacking in recent years.
