There’s no question Myles Garrett significantly upgrades the Los Angeles Rams’ defense. He’s the best edge rusher in the NFL, and he’s joining a defensive front that already features young studs such as Kobie Turner, Byron Young and Braden Fiske.
Those players will benefit from the attention Garrett commands, as will the seven defenders in coverage because of how quickly he can collapse the pocket.
The offense also stands to improve with the addition of Garrett, and not because he’s going to line up at tight end in 13 personnel. Offensive line coach Ryan Wendell says Garrett is going to make all of the Rams’ linemen better by having to block him every day in practice.
“I was excited about the opportunity to see him in practice work, because I know how much better it’s going to make our guys to get to block a reigning Defensive Player of the Year – a guy that’s that kind of a premier pass rusher and player every day,” Wendell said on the Bleav in Rams podcast. “It’s only going to make our guys better, so I was excited about that. And then I was, just, for our overall team, I was just beyond elated to think about like how much better that’s going to make every guy that he’s playing with on, you know, all the way from the back end, it’s going to help the guys cover better. It’s going to help the other guys rush better. I mean, he’s a great addition to our team.”
Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr. will be the linemen who face Garrett the most in practice, being the offensive tackles on the edge. But with Garrett’s size and athleticism, he’s more than capable of lining up over the guard or center to rush the quarterback from an inside position.
The Rams have a lot of options with their new defensive star, and they’re bound to explore them in practice this offseason and throughout the year.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams OL coach shares why he was ‘beyond elated’ about Myles Garrett trade
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
