The Rams have once again found a way to add a little bit of depth and allowing them to have a little bit more flexibility in the draft by signing linebacker Carlos Thompson. Thompson was a stand out at Ole Miss and played the 2015 season with the Houston Texans. It shouldn’t alarm fans that Carlos Thompson only played a year in the league because his role isn’t expected to be that heavy plus Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips can coach him to competency. Linebacker is a shaky position for the Rams as Alec Ogletree is their only true linebacker with Mark Barron and Robert Quinn being converts. The Rams also signed former Eagle and Texan Connor Barwin as the Rams switch to a 3-4 defense. Carlos Thompson not only provides depth at linebacker but he also played defensive end in college so he can contribute there as well. His role as a defensive end is significant because the Rams no longer have a quality edge rusher after trading Hayes and moving Quinn to linebacker.
In his one season with the Texans Carlos Thompson only played two games and recorded zero stats so he is in no way the answer to their problems at defensive end or linebacker but it at least makes their draft day decisions a little easier. Plus at 6’5 243 lb he at least can be useful somewhere on the field, perhaps on special teams. The Rams still could draft a defensive end with their 37th overall pick or in the third round if the value is right but thus far the Rams have made solid moves in building up their defense. Linebacker will still be an issue but at least they have some depth and can see what Ogletree brings to the table in the 3-4 in a contract year. That’s not to say if he leaves or the Rams decided to let him walk Carlos Thompson will replace him but in the short term it allows the Rams to solve areas of greater need.
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