Position flexibility is a huge asset in today’s NFL, particularly on defense. With so much versatility on offense, defenders who can play multiple positions are extremely valuable. The Rams have countless players who fit that mold, whether it’s in the secondary or in the front seven.
They added several defenders who can line up at several spots this offseason, giving Wade Phillips more options with his play calling and personnel packages. Eric Weddle can play either safety spot, Michael Brockers can play defensive end or nose tackle, Clay Matthews can line up at inside or outside linebacker, and Taylor Rapp could be a perfect linebacker-safety hybrid.
Aaron Donald loves the versatility the Rams have on defense and believes the unit is in for a big year.
“It’s going to be special. They thought they’d seen something last year. We’re going to just keep getting better. The new players we brought in just make us that much better, so I’m excited about it,” Donald said in a recent interview.
This is Donald’s first time attending OTAs since 2016. He held out the past two years and last offseason, he finally got what he rightfully deserved with a six-year extension.
He’s happy to be working out with his teammates, and he seems extremely excited about learning from new Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson.
“It’s been great,” Donald said of his experience with Henderson so far. “It’s one of the main reasons I wanted to be here – just to be here and learning from him, the different techniques he’s trying to teach us for stopping the run and hand placement for rushing the passer, so I feel like he’s going to get us a lot better. So there’s a lot of improvement coming.”
