The Los Angeles Rams are looking to strengthen their linebacker position in the upcoming draft, having extended Nate Landman but still needing additional talent. They have several opportunities to select a quality off-ball linebacker across all rounds of the draft.
Key points
Rams extended Nate Landman with a $22.5 million deal
Need for additional linebacker talent
Draft rich with linebacker prospects
Opportunities to draft across all rounds
Mentioned in this story
Ohio State
Los Angeles RamsNFL Draft
The Los Angeles Rams have not sunk many assets into the inside linebacker position during the Sean McVay-Les Snead tenure, but they did extend Nate Landman last season with a $22.5 million deal. Even after that signing, the Rams could use another linebacker to go with him.
The draft is rich with talent at this position and Los Angeles will have several opportunities to add a quality off-ball linebacker at some point between Thursday and Sunday.
Here's one linebacker the Rams could target in each round.
Let's get this out of the way: The Rams are highly unlikely to land Styles at No. 13 overall. It'll take a move up the board in order to land him, but he's without question the best off-ball linebacker in the draft. He's an incredible athlete with great instincts and the ability to play all three downs, doing everything a defensive coordinator would want a linebacker to do: coverage, stopping the run, blitzing.
There isn't another linebacker worth taking at No. 13 overall and even after trading down, it's hard to get behind taking someone like Jacob Rodriguez or C.J. Allen in the first.
Round 2: Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill isn't quite the athletic freak that Styles is, but at 5-foot-2 and 238 pounds, with 4.51 speed, he still possesses a great size-speed combination. His ceiling is plenty high as long as he can hone in his aggression and play with better control, but that should come with NFL coaching.
In three seasons at Texas, he had 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three interceptions to go with 31.5 tackles for a loss. He was everywhere for the Longhorns and should bring that same run-hit mentality to whichever defense drafts him.
Q&A
Who is a top linebacker the Rams could draft in the first round?
Sonny Styles from Ohio State is a top linebacker the Rams could target in the first round.
What is Nate Landman's contract value with the Rams?
Nate Landman signed a contract extension with the Rams worth $22.5 million.
Why do the Rams need to draft another linebacker?
Despite extending Nate Landman, the Rams still require additional depth and talent at the linebacker position.
How many rounds are there in the NFL draft where the Rams can select a linebacker?
The Rams have opportunities to select a linebacker in all seven rounds of the NFL draft.
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Round 3: Kyle Louis, Pitt
Louis is intriguing not because he's a big, fast linebacker, but because of his coverage skills. He's a defender who transitioned from being a safety in high school to linebacker at Pitt, excelling in that role for the Panthers. He's outstanding in coverage, sticking with running backs and tight ends when manned up against them.
He is small, standing 6-foot and 220 pounds, but he can move and cover. That's exactly what the Rams need in a linebacker to pair with Nate Landman.
Round 4: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
Elarms-Orr erupted with 130 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss his past season, adding four sacks and two pass breakups, as well. He's a rangy linebacker with 4.47 speed, showing the ability to cover during his time at TCU. He comes with adequate size at 6-2, 234 pounds and his explosiveness was on display at the combine with his 40-inch vertical and 10-4 broad jump.
While not the most experienced linebacker in the class, he does have good upside as a mid-round talent.
Perkins' stock has been on a steady decline since bursting onto the scene as a freshman at LSU, and a torn ACL in 2024 didn't help his case. He's without question an undersized linebacker at 6 feet tall and only 223 pounds, but he ran a 4.45 at his pro day, per Dane Brugler, and plays with a ton of speed on film.
In the right scheme that can utilize him in coverage and as a blitzer, he should be able to outperform his draft slot as a likely Day 3 pick. The Rams could move him all around the box in Chris Shula's scheme, making him an enticing prospect.
Round 6: Wade Woodaz, Clemson
Woodaz has excellent length with an 80-inch wingspan and 6-foot-3 frame, running a 4.56 in the 40 at his pro day. He'd be a good complement to Nate Landman's downhill play style, bringing more range to the linebacker position thanks to his speed and athleticism.
If the Rams manage to land him in the sixth round, it should be viewed as a decent value.
Round 7: Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas
Sorey began his career at Georgia but after spending three years there and playing sparingly, he transferred to Arkansas and immediately became an impact player. He led the team in tackles each of the last two years and was a team captain as a senior in 2025, so he has the experience and leadership qualities the Rams look for.
He's a good athlete, running a 4.63 at 228 pounds, but he needs to play with better control and take smarter angles to the ball.
