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When it comes to pass rushers, the NFL is in high demand. Every team can use assistance when it comes to their pass rush, and the Los Angeles Rams are not exempt in that regard.
That’s where 2018 NFL Draft fifth-round pick edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo comes into the picture. Ogbo was a highly regarded edge rusher in college with the Oklahoma Sooners earning first-round pre-draft grades by some evaluators. Unfortunately for Ogbo, he dropped to day three of the draft. Then he was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before his rookie season started, and essentially missed the entire year due to a foot surgery dating back to May.
Roster Battle
The roster battle at the edge spot is going to be an interesting one as we head into training camp and the preseason. The starters are entrenched, and those guys are veteran Clay Matthews and re-signee Dante Fowler Jr. Outside of those two, playing time is plentiful for whichever guy wants to step up and grab it from the group which contains Samson Ebukam, Ogbo, Trevon Young (roster preview), Justin Lawler (roster preview), and potentially even John Franklin-Myers (who may or may not be lining up more as an interior defensive lineman).
Expectations
For a guy who has yet to play any real NFL snaps, the expectations for Ogbo are probably greater than most. The pressure of needing to perform immediately wont remain as the Rams were able to solve the edge spots in free agency with the addition of Matthews and re-signing of Fowler, though there is a belief that Ogbo could surprise with his productivity and physical build.
Dude’s yoked!
Chances of making the final roster (7.5/10)
Unless something goes terribly wrong for Okoronkwo, he’s likely to land on the 53-man active roster. Ogbo could be the first in line for snaps off the bench, though that’ll be determined by his preseason performances as Ebukam has two years of experience at this point.