After over a month off, the Los Angeles Rams will be hitting the field again soon as training camp is scheduled to begin next week.
The Rams will be at Loyola Marymount University this year where they’ll finally get a chance to work in pads and really get physical practices in. Unlike last offseason, head coach Sean McVay won’t have to spend as much time teaching and onboarding as he’s got a longer list of returners.
However, their 2024 NFL Draft class will be a huge storyline to watch over the next couple of months as several of them are slated to play roles right away. Jared Verse and Brennan Fiske are the headliners of the group, though the defense also has Brennan Jackson who can play a rotational role off the bat.
Ahead of their first training camp with the Rams, Verse and Jackson were seen working on their technique, via Coach Ed:
The @RamsNFL knocked this years draft out the park!! These rookie Edges are obsessed with the game! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/RRRdLfpqpU
— Coach Ed (@DlineCoachEd) July 12, 2024
In the short video, Verse and Jackson take turns practicing a rip through move one-on-one. The drill seems to put an emphasis on timing a jump cut and using leverage to get underneath an offensive lineman’s arm.
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula previously said that Verse has got the versatility to play either outside or inside, while Jackson projects as an outside linebacker who can thrive in passing down situations. Both rookies are also solid run defenders and should be able to make an impact in that area as well.
Verse should be a Day 1 starter given his pedigree and draft capital, though Jackson has a path to snaps given the lack of outside pass rush talent on the roster. Los Angeles has done well with drafting and developing talent, so it’ll be exciting to see what they can do with players like Verse and Jackson.
Ernest Jones believes Chris Shula will fit in perfectly as Rams’ defensive coordinator
Chris Shula has been with the Sean McVay and the Rams organization for years, spending time in various roles on the defensive end before finally being promoted to defensive coordinator. Although it’s his first time calling the defense, his background and personality should suit him well in 2024.
Ernest Jones got the opportunity to work closely with Shula when he was the linebackers coach and believes that he’ll fit in perfectly in his new role.
