Bobby Okereke: Rams' Linebacker Upgrade

0:00On March 25th, Bobby Ocaric, the former New York Giants linebacker, remains the top free agent at his position. He's still available and has ties to the Los Angeles Rams through their special team's coordinator, whom he played with in Indianapolis. The Rams lean heavily on dime packages last season, using them for about 30% of their snaps, or roughly 316 plays. That said, they still feature two linebackers on the field for 686 snaps, ranking fourth in 245 usage and 9th in base, 3-4 defense. Teams like the 49ers, Lions, Seahawks and Eagles have exploited the Rams with heavier personnel, such as multiple tight ends or fullbacks. The Rams struggled there, posting the 28th rank success rate against those looks because their linebackers couldn't match up well. Ocaric he brings athleticism, awareness, and the size to cover tight ends effectively, making him a clear upgrade over current options. He can handle man coverage even in lighter packages, which lets the Rams get more creative

1:02on defense. With new defensive backs joining the mix, pairing Ocaric with them could free up the front forward to pressure quarterbacks better, strengthening the unit against evolving lead trends.