The issue facing Rams GM Les Snead and VP Tony Pastoors a couple of years ago was not only a lack of defensive talent and available cap space, but the team also didn’t have a first round pick until 2024. The key to rebuilding that defense in such a short period of time, the defense that sacked Sam Darnold nine times in Monday’s win over the Vikings, was to re-stock the roster with players on rookie contracts who could play right away.
The Rams responded by picking some of the oldest players in the draft and minimizing the amount of physical development and emotional maturity necessary to have them play immediately.