LA Rams Take Significant Step to Fortify Their Defensive Line by Re-Signing 4-Year Veteran

The terms of Murchison’s deal have yet to be disclosed.

The LA Rams Defensive Line Was Thinning Out

After the retirement of Aaron Donald and Jonah Williams’ signing with the Minnesota Vikings, the Rams defensive line was growing thin.

As things stand now, the Rams only have four players listed on their defensive line depth chart:

1. Murchison
2. Desjuan Johnson
3. Kobie Turner
4. Bobby Brown III

Murchison’s Bio and Stats

Larrell Murchison is 26 years old. He is 6’3″ and weighs 297 lbs.

Murchison attended a junior college before enrolling at North Carolina State. In his senior year with the Wolfpack, he was second-team All-ACC.

The Tennessee Titans drafted Murchison in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Titans waived Murchison in December 2022, and the Rams claimed him off waivers two days later. Several days thereafter, Murchison made two sacks — the first of his career — in a game against the Denver Broncos.

Murchison played in 15 games for the Rams in 2023; he started three of those games.

NBC reports:

“Murchison, 26, played 15 games with three starts last season, seeing action on 252 defensive snaps and 38 on special teams. He totaled 16 tackles….

“Murchison has appeared in 44 regular-season games with eight starts during his four-year NFL career. He has recorded 37 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, 13 pressures, two quarterback hits and 10 hurries.”

“Murchison also has played in two wild-card games[,] [one with the Rams and the other with the Tennessee Titans.]”

As observed by Turf Show Times: “Murchison showed last year that, at a minimum, he can be an effective rotational player and potential fringe starter in a pinch.”

The Rams Will Need to Continue Fortifying Their Defensive Line

With the thinness of the Rams’ defensive line noted above, the team needs to add more pieces there. The options of acquiring a player in that position in free agency have dwindled. Hence, the Rams will likely need to address the need in the upcoming draft and/or by entering into a trade.

Analysts and Rams enthusiasts believe L.A. needs to bring in some star power along the defensive line in order to make up for the losses of Donald and Jonah Williams.

Here are some possibilities in that regard:

Turf Show Time suggests the Rams make a move to acquire Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have given Reddick permission to seek a trade. Reddick is 29 years old. He is an edge rusher, and he made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023.

Of course, the Rams may also seek to fill the void left by Donald and Williams with their full bevy of selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.

One possibility in that regard is for the Rams to draft standout defensive Tackle Byron Murphy II. According to Mel Kiper, Murphy “has highest pass-rush upside of any of the interior defensive linemen in this class.” Kiper rates him as the 24th best overall prospect in the draft and the best defensive tackle.

Another draft option is DL Jer’Zhan Newton (from Illinois). In a mock draft conducted on March 18, 2024, NBC Sports has Newton going to the Rams with their No. 19 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Newton was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

NBC Sports gives high marks to Newton:

“On tape, Newton is easily a top 15 player in this [draft] class. He’s a master at getting off blocks with pro-ready hands and has more juice as a pass-rusher than given credit for.”

Thus, Los Angeles has viable options to begin refortifying its defensive line. The steps the team takes to address its critical needs along the defensive front will continue to be closely monitored.

For more related sports news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, and Los Angeles Rams, please