Snead’s Snacks: Identifying Rams Fits at Linebacker in 2026 Draft

One position that gets discussed as a need almost every offseason before the NFL Draft for the Los Angeles Rams is linebacker. Despite extending Nate Landman and signing Grant Stuard, the Rams could use competition for Omar Speights.

The Rams may not draft a linebacker in the first round as Ohio State's Sonny Styles will likely be off the board. However, the Rams could take a linebacker on Day 2 or later on Day 3.

Since the 2020 NFL Draft, I’ve run a series called Snead’s Snacks. This series looks at common traits of previous Les Snead draft picks and sees which players in the upcoming NFL Draft fit the mold for the Rams.

Notable Past Rams Drafted Players

2021 - Ernest Jones, 3rd Round

Ernest Jones Spider Chart | Mockdraftable

Ernest Jones' Athletic Measurements

Category	Measurement	Percentile
Height	6'1	55th percentile
Weight	230 lbs	8th percentile
Arm Length	33.38 inches	88th percentile
Hand Size	10.38 inches	94th percentile
Bench Press	19	26th percentile
40-Yard Dash	4.72 seconds	59th percentile
10-Yard Split	1.63 seconds	50th percentile
20-Yard Split	2.72 seconds	61s percentile
Vertical Jump	38.5 inches	93rd percentile
Broad Jump	126 inches	97th percentile
Shuttle	4.28 seconds	32nd percentile
3-Cone	7.49	3rd percentile

Ernest Jones' Athletic Trait Grades

Grades	Rating
Size Grade	Poor
Speed Grade	Good
Agility Grade	Poor
Explosiveness	Elite
RAS	6.4

Ernest Jones' Film Traits

Top 3 Film Traits	Play Trait
Trait 1	Plays longer than measurable
Trait 2	Long Arms/Good in coverage
Trait 3	Disciplined Tackler/Good football IQ

Overview of Pick

For the majority of Ernest Jones' career, he was the heart and soul of the Rams' defense and looked to be in line for an extension. However, disagreements in negotiations and the Rams’ approach led to Jones being traded. In Los Angeles, Jones was good in coverage and was a disciplined tackler. His arm length and explosiveness made him an ideal fit.

2018 - Micah Kiser, 5th Round

Micah Kiser RAS — Micah Kiser Spider Chart | Mockdraftable

Category	Measurement	Percentile
Height	6'0	14th percentile
Weight	238 lbs	33rd percentile
Arm Length	33.5 inches	48th percentile
Hand Size	9.38	29th percentile
40-Yard Dash	4.66 seconds	74th percentile
Vertical Jump	35.5 inches	77th percentile
Broad Jump	121 inches	87th percentile
Shuttle	4.24 seconds	71st percentile
3-Cone	7.05	66th percentile

Micah Kiser's Athletic Trait Grades

Grades	Rating
Size Grade	Poor
Speed Grade	Good
Agility Grade	Good
Explosiveness	Great
RAS	8.4

Micah Kiser's Film Traits

Top 3 Film Traits	Play Trait
Trait 1	Good college production
Trait 2	Disiciplined tackler/Instinctive
Trait 3	Relentless motor/Tenacity

Overview of Pick

Micah Kiser's athletic archetype has been the blueprint for what the Rams like at the position. He tested great in the explosiveness drills during the Combine and showed the traits that the Rams value. His disciplined tackling and relentless motor immediately stand out. Kiser spent four years as a special teams contributor and defensive starter.

Notable Past Rams Undrafted Players/Free Agents

2025 - Nate Landman, Free Agent

Category	Measurement	Percentile
Height	6'2	71st percentile
Weight	238 lbs	49th percentile
Arm Length	30.5 inches	6th percentile
Hand Size	9.38 inches	31st percentile
40-Yard Dash	4.86 seconds	14th percentile
10-Yard Split	1.58 seconds	73rd percentile
Vertical Jump	37 inches	79th percentile
Broad Jump	119 inches	62nd percentile

Nate Landman's Athletic Trait Grades

Grades	Rating
Size Grade	Good
Speed Grade	Poor
Agility Grade	Okay
Explosiveness	Good
RAS	6.4

Nate Landman's Film Traits

Top 3 Film Traits	Play Trait
Trait 1	Excellent intangibles
Trait 2	Ability to diagnose
Trait 3	Well-positioned in gaps

2024 - Omar Speights, UDFA

Omar Speights' Athletic Measurements

Category	Measurement	RAS
Height	6'0	3.73
Weight	225 lbs	2.29
Arm Length	31.25 inches	N/A
Hand Size	9.25 inches	N/A
Bench Press	30	9.78
40-Yard Dash	4.65 seconds	7.92
10-Yard Split	1.58 seconds	9.01
20-Yard Split	2.62 seconds	9.45
Vertical Jump	31.5 inches	3.68
Broad Jump	120 inches	7.77
Shuttle	4.34 seconds	6.41
3-Cone	7.07 seconds	7.68

Omar Speights' Athletic Trait Grades

Grades	Rating
Size Grade	Poor
Speed Grade	Great
Agility Grade	Good
Explosiveness	Okay
RAS	7.95

Omar Speights' Film Grades

Top 3 Film Traits	Play Trait
Trait 1	Hustle player with solid speed
Trait 2	Eye discipline/Good tackler
Trait 3	Good instincts in run game

2019 - Troy Reeder, UDFA

Troy Reeder's Athletic Measurements

Category	Measurement	RAS
Height	6'0	4.38
Weight	235 lbs	5.01
Arm Length	29.88 inches	N/A
Hand Size	9.38 inches	N/A
Bench Press	27	9.26
40-Yard Dash	4.63 seconds	8.36
10-Yard Split	1.63	7.28
20-Yard Split	2.7	7.65
Vertical Jump	37.5 inches	9.14
Broad Jump	122 inches	8.75
Shuttle	4.14 seconds	9.25
3-Cone	7 seconds	8.23

Troy Reeder's Athletic Trait Grades

Grades	Rating
Size Grade	Okay
Speed Grade	Good
Agility Grade	Great
Explosiveness	Great
RAS	9.36

Troy Reeder's Film Grades

Top 3 Film Traits	Play Trait
Trait 1	Solid college production
Trait 2	Good lateral movement
Trait 3	Excellent tackler

Common Traits The Rams Look For in Linebackers

Draft Capital Avoidance

When the Rams paid Nate Landman last season, it came as a bit of a surprise. This has simply not been a team that has valued the linebacker position. Even when it's been a need, the Rams haven't drafted a linebacker in the first two rounds. Outside of Ernest Jones, the Rams haven't taken a single linebacker prior to Day 3 since Sean McVay has been the head coach. Even then, Jones was taken outside of the top 100.

Disciplined Tacklers

The Rams value low-miss, assignment-sound tacklers who have college production. They want disciplined linebackers at the second level. A testing measurable that lines up with that trait is arm length. The Rams like lengthy linebackers. While there have been some exceptions, six linebackers acquired by Snead have had arms over 32 inches..

Explosiveness

Explosiveness is a key trait for Rams linebackers. All but four have earned good or great explosive grades, and seven have recorded broad jumps greater than 10 feet. Additionally, 35 inches seems to be the threshold in the vertical jump. The Rams also emphasize short-area quickness.

2026 Players Who Fit The Rams

Anthony Hill, Texas

Anthony Hill checks nearly every box for the Rams at linebacker. While he will likely be drafted inside the top 100, there are rumors that they could take one earlier than expected. If Hill is available in the second round, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rams write his name on a draft card. Hill hits all the measurables with good explosiveness and arms over 32 inches. He's a sure tackler with good short-area quickness and instincts in space.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Josiah Trotter, Missouri

Trotter is another linebacker that the Rams may have to target inside the top 100. However, it’s possible they address the position earlier, and they have met with Trotter. He has arms over 32 inches with good instincts and run discipline. He has limitations in coverage, but Trotter fits many of the core traits the Rams have historically valued at linebacker.

Draft Projection 3rd Round

Aiden Fisher, Indiana

There may not be a linebacker in this class who fits the Rams' linebacker profile as well as Fisher. His instincts, communication, and discipline give him a clear pathway to contribute early. While he’s not an elite overall athlete, his explosiveness stands out. Fisher was productive at Indiana after transferring from John Carroll. He's quick to diagnose and a good tackler. Trotter's arm length is under 32 inches, but the Rams have gone away from that more recently.

Draft Projection: 5th Round

Harold Perkins, LSU

Perkins is a tougher projection, but he's a versatile player with great explosiveness and range. He has some size limitations, but the Rams don't care too much about size if the player can overcome it. Perkins operates well in space and displays sudden lateral movements and short-area quickness. He's also decisive against the run. Perkins is inconsistent through contact, but he checks a lot of boxes to make this fit work.

Draft Projection: 5th Round

Jimmy Rolder, Michigan

If there is a linebacker on Day 3 that the Rams draft, it wouldn't be surprising if that player is Jimmy Rolder. He fits many of the traits that the Rams look for when it comes to instincts and tackling reliability. Rolder also tested well in the vertical, displaying his explosiveness. The Michigan linebacker had just a 4.7 percent missed tackle rate in 2025, which is near-elite. At the very least, he'll be an immediate contributor on special teams and is a potential Day 3 sleeper.

Draft Projection: 6th Round

Honorable Mentions

CJ Allen, Georgia

Strong Diagnose Skills
Excellent Tackler
Good Technique

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Kyle Louis, Pitt

Former Safety
Good short-area quickness
Explosive
Inconsistent Tackler

Draft Projection: 4th Round

Kyle Elarms-Orr, TCU

Productive
Short Area Explosiveness
Lateral Quickness
Problematic Instincts

Draft Projection: 7th Round-PFA

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