Michael Hoecht had only played 15 defensive snaps before Week 12, and it’s not because he was hurt. He never played more than five snaps in a game prior to the Rams’ game against the Chiefs, but after the team cut Justin Hollins, Hoecht got an opportunity to play outside linebacker instead of his traditional position of defensive tackle.
It turns out, Hoecht is a really good edge rusher.
In the last two games, he has seven pressures, two sacks and a forced fumble. Sean McVay said Monday he wishes he realized sooner how good Hoecht would be at outside linebacker because he would’ve moved him a while ago.