This is part five of a nine part series previewing each position on the St. Louis Rams in 2015. They will go as follows:
1 – QB
2 – RB/FB
3 – WR/TE
4 – OL
5 – DL
6 – LB
7 – CB
8 – SS/FS
9 – Special Teams
Part Five – Defensive Line
Current Defensive Tackles on the Rams roster:
Michael Brockers
Aaron Donald
Nick Fairley
Louie Trinca-Pasat
Ethan Westbrooks
Doug Worthington
Michael Brockers – The former first round pick is a solid player at defensive tackle for the Rams and will continue to be and will be one of the starters at defense tackle. He is coming off of a career low in sacks but with the likes of Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, Chris Long, and company; it’s going to be tough to get sacks and with it being that Brockers is more of a run stopper.
Aaron Donald – 2014’s 13th overall pick had a phenomenal rookie season, tallying nine sacks and being awarded the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Although only being 6’1” 285 lbs., Donald is a force in the middle of the defensive line. He will be the other starting defensive tackle for the Rams.
Nick Fairley – Just as Donald and Brockers, Fairley is a former first round pick, as the Lions selected him in 2011. But struggles with injuries, on the field production, and overweight issues, the Lions and Fairley parted ways after the 2014 season. The Rams then signed him to a one-year deal that included a workout bonus. Fairley ended up losing so much weight, the Rams had to actually put him on a new program to gain a few more pounds. Fairley will see the field plenty in 2015, not as a starter but he will get plenty of reps at defensive tackle and I believe this will truly be a comeback year for him, as he is fighting to continue his NFL career. If he does poorly this season, his career in this league could be over.
St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher introduces newly acquired defensive tackle Nick Fairley to the media. Photo by Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Louie Trinca-Pasat – After being regarded as a 5th-7th round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa, Trinca-Pasat went undrafted and the Rams signed him as an undrafted free agent. He is listed at 6’1” 290, similar to Aaron Donald. He has great power and is a great run stopper but his arms are short and opponents with better length could get the edge on him. Trinca-Pasat has a chance to make the 53-man roster but it will be an uphill climb.
Ethan Westbrooks – Westbrooks signed to the Rams in 2014 as an undrafted free agent and ended up beating out Michael Sam for the last defensive line spot on the 53-man roster. He saw action in five games in 2014 and should see roughly the same amount of playing time this season in such a stacked Rams defensive line group.
Ethan Westbrooks will be fighting for a roster spot again in 2015. Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Doug Worthington – The Rams had four defensive tackles on the 53-man roster last season. Worthington will be battling with Louie Trinca-Pasat and Ethan Westbrooks for a defensive tackle spot on the 53-man roster. Worthington spent the season on the practice squad and one of these three will make the team, one sent to the practice squad, and one released.
Current Defensive Ends on the Rams roster:
William Hayes
Martin Ifedi
Matt Longacre
Chris Long
Robert Quinn
Eugene Sims
William Hayes – Hayes isn’t a starter because of Robert Quinn and Chris Long but Hayes always get playing time and is very capable of handling the load and making plays at defensive end. He will continue to be a quality player when Long or Quinn need rest.
Martin Ifedi – Ifedi was a seventh round pick this past spring and will be battling with Matt Longacre for a possible fifth defensive end position. The Rams had five defensive ends on the team last year and will likely do the same this season.
Matt Longacre – Longacre was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Northwest Missouri State. He was the all time sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbled at NWMS. The Rams kept five defensive ends on the team in 2014 and if they do the same this year, Longacre will be fighting with Martin Ifedi for the last DE spot.
Longacre was a standout at Northwest Missouri State and has a legitimate shot to make the Rams final roster.
Chris Long – Long’s contract is up after 2016 but rumor has it that if he doesn’t perform well in 2015, he could be released after this season. Long has been the Rams starter at defensive end since the Rams drafted him in the firth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Coaches, fans, and teammates alike are expecting a big year from Long.
Chris Long only played in six games in 2014 due to injury. AP Images.
Robert Quinn – Not much to say about Quinn, he’ll be a starter at defensive end opposite from Chris Long and will continue to do great things for the Rams defensive line.
Eugene Sims – Sims saw action in all 16 games in 2014 and just as William Hayes, he won’t start but will be a plug in guy who can play at defensive end whenever needed.
