For a decade, Aaron Donald was the star of the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line. He was a perennial Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection, which is why he created such a large void when he retired in 2024. The Rams have done well to replace him the best they can, but no one can fill the shoes of the future Hall of Famer.
Heading into 2026, it’s possible Donald will return to the Rams and take back his place along the defensive line. The Rams aren’t pushing him to come back, and he hasn’t yet decided whether he will or not, but the door is wide open if he wants to step through it.
Donald’s future is the only question for Los Angeles’ defensive line heading into training camp. As it stands right now, the group is loaded with Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Poona Ford as the starters, and Tyler Davis rotating in as the fourth option.
Roster locks
This is as good a four-man interior D-line as you’ll find in the NFL. Turner is a budding star, Fiske led the team in sacks as a rookie in 2024 and Ford is vastly underrated as a nose tackle. Davis isn’t technically a starter, but Sean McVay and Chris Shula have both said in the past year that he’s effectively one because of how hard he is to keep off the field.
That showed in his playing time last season, seeing only slightly fewer snaps than Fiske and Ford in 2025. All four of these players will be on the team, regardless of whether Donald returns or not.
Likely to make it
Hamilton and Keenan are two Day 3 picks from the last two drafts who will need to earn their spots on the team. Nothing will be given to them, even after the Rams traded away a 2026 fourth-round pick to move up for Hamilton in 2025.
They play different positions, with Hamilton being more of a defensive tackle/end, while Keenan has the body of a true nose tackle. So in theory, there’s room for both of them on the 53-man roster, provided they can hold off the former undrafted players behind them.
On the bubble
Murchison has the most experience of this bunch and is the most likely one to make the team, but he’ll need a strong camp and preseason in order to solidify his spot on the active roster. Norton was an undrafted rookie last year, while Moi and Zdroik were signed as undrafted free agents this year.
Norton didn’t get on the field last season but he spent time on the practice squad and has a year of experience in Shula’s system. Moi and Zdroik are bigger long shots for the 53-man roster but if either Keenan or Hamilton slips up, there could be room for one of them.
Position battle to watch
Hamilton was a disappointment last season as a rookie, struggling to get on the field for very many snaps. He was a productive player at Ohio State but it didn’t translate to the NFL, which is why Murchison got more snaps than him. These two will battle for playing time in training camp this summer, and though both are likely to make the team, their performances in practice could decide who’s the second man off the bench behind Tyler Davis.
Potential sleeper
Defensive linemen can’t be written off after one disappointing season, especially given the talent Los Angeles had up front. Hamilton will get another crack at contributing this season and if he can improve as a pass rusher and anchor down better as a run defender, the Rams will give him snaps.
His quickness as a defensive lineman is what should get him opportunities, but he must get better when it comes to generating pressure and getting into the backfield.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams training camp preview: Aaron Donald’s future is lone question on D-line
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
