Do Los Angeles Rams Have Worst LB Group in NFL?
The Los Angeles Rams' linebacker group was anchored by one of the NFL's best in Bobby Wagner last season, and his loss may mean the group's demise.
PFF released a ranking of the league's best linebacker corps this week, and the Rams landed at No. 32 — the worst in the NFL. This mainly stems from Wagner's departure.
"The loss of Wagner is devastating for this unit. With the All-Pro in the fold, Rams linebackers were second in overall grading and first in run-defense grading," PFF said. "The rebuild is on in Los Angeles now."
Wagner earned All-Pro honors last season following 140 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and two interceptions, logging one of his best career seasons.
Without his services, the pressure now falls on Ernest Jones.
"Jones remains a viable starter, but there is not another linebacker on this team who was even drafted," PFF concluded. "Christian Rozeboom, with a total of 10 snaps, is the only other player who has taken any defensive snaps in the NFL. Everyone on the Rams' defense except Jones and Aaron Donald will be in an open competition for playing time."
It's now up to Jones to resurrect the group, fresh off a sophomore year where he nabbed 114 tackles, four tackles for loss and an interception. Otherwise, the unit could be lost.
Just two years removed from a Super Bowl and only a season removed from having the second-best linebacker group in the league, PFF has given up on the Rams' D.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here
Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!
Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.
Want even more L.A. Rams news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
