With Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Los Angeles Rams lost not just a defensive juggernaut on Sundays, but also one of their most influential team leaders throughout the week. Add in the loss of one of football’s most regarded defensive line coaches, Eric Henderson, and the situation becomes even more serious.
As of now, the Rams’ front five will consist of two rookies, two sophomores, and a rotation of players with no NFL experience.
The Rams used their first two draft picks to try to fill the void left by Donald’s retirement, but they focused on the secondary in free agency, signing three veteran cornerbacks one safety. In doing so, the Rams did not add any veterans to their defensive front.
Do the Los Angeles Rams Need To Add Experience to the DL?
However, Calais Campbell, a highly seasoned free agent, remains available for the Rams to sign. Campbell, 37, is coming off a one-year, $7 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, his 16th season in the league.
While age has a negative impact on most people, Campbell proved to be an ageless wonder. Last season, he led the Falcons in quarterback pressures with 42 and tied for second with seven sacks. He also had the greatest season against the run in five years, with 36 STOPs and the 10th-highest PFF run defense grade among edge rushers. They also headed the team.
Campbell played 62.5 percent of all defensive snaps last season, ranking seventh among all Falcons.
The 6’8″, 282 lbs former second-round pick shown his ability to go the distance in a 17-game season last season. He would also bring his 8870 career snaps to the Los Angeles Rams defensive line, which is inexperienced.
Campbell has 865 tackles, 175 tackles for loss (4th all-time, one behind Aaron Donald), 105.5 sacks, 58 passes defensed, and three interceptions in his career.
