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Retired Aaron Donald, right, passes the Rams’ rushing torch to Kobie Turner, who led the team with nine sacks last season. (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)
With Aaron Donald now retired, call it 2024 A.D. for the Rams.
General manager Les Snead, coach Sean McVay and new defensive coordinator Chris Shula must find an effective way to fill the team’s biggest roster hole since McVay was hired in 2017.
The Rams are expected to address the void through the second and third waves of free agency and through the draft.
The Rams have the No. 19 pick and 11 total picks in the April 25-27 draft, which will be held in Detroit.
There will be no replacing Donald, an eight-time All-Pro who amassed 111 sacks, however. Donald was the focal point for every opposing offensive coordinator, a game-wrecker in the truest sense.
A look at players the Rams have left on the roster and others they could pursue:
Still with Rams
Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner celebrates one of his nine sacks last season. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Nose tackle Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Young, both third-round picks, enjoyed outstanding rookie seasons in 2023.
Turner recorded a team-best nine sacks and was a finalist for NFL defensive rookie of the year. Young had eight sacks.
Both will be bargains this season, Turner earning $995,000 and Young $1 million.
The Rams put a right-of-first-refusal tender on restricted free agent Michael Hoecht, so the veteran would earn about $3 million if he returns.
Read more: Aaron Donald used his strength, mind and humor to power a bigger-than-football persona
Former defensive coordinator Raheem Morris moved Hoecht from the line to outside linebacker in the second half of the 2022 season and Hoecht showed flashes, recording 4½ sacks. He had six sacks last season, so it remains to be seen if Shula returns Hoecht inside.
Nose tackle Bobby Brown III, a fourth-round pick in 2021, enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Veteran Keir Thomas and second-year pros…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-fill-aaron-donalds-shoes-212536645.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-03-18 21:25:36
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