Inside linebacker has been a low-priority position for the Los Angeles Rams in recent years. They did spend a third-round pick on Ernest Jones in 2021 and sign Bobby Wagner in 2022, but they haven’t addressed the position as aggressively as they have other spots.
The front office took another modest approach this offseason by signing Nate Landman to a $1.1 million deal for one season before drafting Chris Paul Jr. in the fifth round. Those weren’t headline-making moves, but Landman is ensuring everyone knows his name at training camp.
Through the first seven practices, he’s become the breakout star of camp. He’s left no question about who will be the team’s starting linebacker, running away with that competition as the defensive signal caller and a primary playmaker in the middle of the field.
Sean McVay was asked Tuesday about the impact Landman has had so far, and his response was telling.
“You can hear it, you can feel it,” he said. “He’s one of those guys, he has some natural leadership traits and characteristics. I think you’re innately thrust into that when you play an inside linebacker position. He’s just got a good feel. He’s got great awareness, a good understanding of how to be able to positively uplift his teammates and challenge them in the right way. I love what this guy is about.”
During practice on Saturday, Landman made the play of the day when he punched the ball out of Davis Allen’s arms for a takeaway. It was a perfectly timed play by the veteran linebacker, who had a knack for creating such turnovers during his time with the Falcons; he forced three fumbles in each of the last two years.
On Tuesday, Landman made another play that stood out to McVay. He and Omar Speights cleaned up a run on fourth-and-1, stopping the ball carrier short of the sticks after Kamren Kinchens forced the ball outside with good penetration.
“You saw there was a great play kind of in a short yardage situation that ‘Kam’ Kinchens did a great job of being able to kind of spill the ball outside and Omar and Landman in unison ended up getting a knock-back tackle on a fourth-and-1,” he said. “He has consistently shown that type of stuff.”
Quentin Lake was the leader of the defense last season, wearing the green dot as a do-it-all safety. Landman has taken over that responsibility this summer, which Lake says “takes a load off” him – in a good way.
Lake attended the East-West Shrine Game out of college like Landman so he’s been aware of his game for a while, but seeing it up close has been a treat. His communication and leadership have really helped the defense, as has his knack for creating turnovers.
“Fantastic player. I almost want to call him ‘Peanut Punch Landman’. He has just a knack for the ball and we see so many clips, Coach McVay shows them in the team meeting room of him doing it in Atlanta and then you see it out here and you understand why he’s able to cause those turnovers,” Lake said Tuesday. “He practices the right way, a great communicator, fantastic teammate. Great addition for us and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do during the season as well.”
Landman’s responsibility as the signal caller shows how much the coaching staff trusts him, Lake says. And he’s proving them right for putting so much on his plate, doing an excellent job getting everyone aligned on each play.
“He’s done an amazing job,” Lake continued. “I know there was familiarity with him being in Atlanta, kind of with the same defensive scheme, but his transition really has been flawless. You guys have seen it, he’s been making a ton of plays.”
One of the things that makes Landman a productive player is his ability to stop the run. In 2023, he had the second-highest run-stop rate of any linebacker in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Last season, he took a slight step back but playing behind a stout defensive line like the Rams’ will free him up to make more plays.
Linebacker was one of the biggest question marks on the Rams’ roster entering camp but they have their answer in Landman.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Nate Landman looks like the breakout star of Rams training camp
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
