2018 Los Angeles Rams Roster Preview: Life gets harder for DL Omarius Bryant

For those unfamiliar with Los Angeles Rams DT Omarius Bryant, he joined the Rams after initially being picked up as an undrafted free agent after the 2017 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. While at Western Kentucky, he produced 67 tackles and 4.5 sacks through two seasons. He was a strong, brute of a bull-rusher with a motor fueled with physical power and emotion.

Today though, Bryant is fighting for the chance to make the Rams’ final 53-man roster. It’s a fight that just got more difficult with the additions made to the defensive line this offseason.

The Rams added to their already-impressive line that encapsulated the likes of DL Aaron Donald and DL Michael Brockers with Ndamukong Suh — a ferociously strong lineman who can break up plays without even making a tackle.

On top of the new faces brought in through the 2018 NFL Draft, like DL John Franklin-Myers and DL Sebastian Joseph-Day who possess seemingly better technique and gap presence than Bryant, there’s plenty of other depth to contend with.

Roster battle

The Rams’ defense is in it’s second year of the 3-4 defense under Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips. LA adapted to the new defense well enough to become one of the top defenses in the league last year. However, the weakness of the defense came against the run which is now an expected focus during training camp. Bryant is listed as a defensive end, but his weight and build suggest he could be interchangeable at NT which works in his favor of making the team.

Ultimately, Bryant’s future with the Rams comes down to a numbers game. As of publication, there are 13 men on the line’s depth chart.

Expectations

Expectations are low for Bryant. He only appeared in the preseason with the Rams making one tackle through three games. His tape during those games don’t serve his case, either. Right off the bat, it’s clear his force after the initial pop is manageable for opposing offensive lines.

There were some plays where linemen just guide Bryant away from the play. No one is suggesting Bryant should be expected to be Suh-like in his play, but he need to give the man across the line some trouble at the very least to stick around. There was none last preseason.

Chances of making the final roster (1/10)

Bryant’s 2017 campaign to make the team was tough. His 2018 campaign looks even more difficult even with Donald possibly absent early on in training camp.

Bryant was one of the last cuts in 2017 before making the team’s practice squad. This year, he might be cut before the Rams hit September.