Day 1 of the NFL Combine is here and kicks off with the defensive line and line backers. While the Los Angeles Rams have these positions stocked fairly well for 2026, it doesn’t hurt to look for and identify prospects that can either fill out positional units or upgrade the talent therein.
Are there any mid-to-late round prospects that can fill help fill any voids?
With all three starters and the primary backup, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, and Tyler Davis set to return, the defensive interior is not an immediate need. Ty Hamilton and Bill Norton fill out the current room. Round 5 rookie Hamilton received 138 defensive reps, while the undrafted Norton spent 2025 on the practice squad. The Rams need to add at least two down linemen, if only for camp/preseason necessity. Mining for developmental gems in mid/late area of the draft would appear to be a sound strategy.
Four-star recruit, recently turned 22 years-old. Played in 47 games over four years with only 10 starts, logging 84 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, and batted down seven passes.
At 6’2” 292 lb., Halton fits into the Rams mold of smaller, versatile interior linemen. Although he shows better as pass rusher, he’s a quite mobile and a relentless pursuer of the ball. Can handle the 1on1 work, but struggles to anchor against double teams. Squatty, powerful build, he stays low with natural leverage. Stellar get-off, striking first to put blockers on their heels or split them bolting through gaps. Possesses nimble feet to make quick moves and lateral agility to prevent offensive linemen from squaring him up or clamping on. Good lower body strength and push to collapse the pocket.
I grade Halton in Round 4, mostly because of his size/length numbers, 32” arms and his frame appears to be maxed out. He also only had 10 games as a starter. He could certainly have suitors earlier. His strong play at the Senior Bowl created a lot of buzz. [One outlet, atozsports.com, said,](https://atozsports.com/college-football/oklahoma-sooners-superstar-gracen-halton-dominating-senior-bowl-nfl-world-oklahomas-defensive-prowess) “Halton has been virtually unblockable every day of practice at the Senior Bowl, demolishing fellow draft hopefuls and some of the best players in America.” He was also known for making big plays from the interior on a very good Oklahoma defense.
**Nick Barrett - South Carolina**
Turns 23 in July after spending five years at South Carolina. Paid his dues as backup for his first four seasons before breaking out. Saw action in 51 games with 13 starts. Made 72 tackles, two sacks, and batted down two passes
At 6’3” 315 lb., Barrett’s blocky build and power-based game is primarily suited for the space-eating nose tackle role, although South Carolina did occasionally line him up over the tackles. Not an explosive penetrator, Barrett uses his strong lower half, good length (33 1/2”), and strong hands to set an unyielding anchor. Tough to root him out, even with double teams. Very good stack/shed abilities using those same traits. Doesn’t have great move skills, but hustles in pursuit. A strong run defender, there were also glimpses of some pass rushing upside. Not a lot in the toolbox, mostly using a bull rush with extended arms and low leverage to push blockers back into the pocket. Also has a good push/pull.
Another prospect without a long starting history. Barrett is a workman-like nose tackle with a decently high floor as a late round pick. His gap integrity hints there’s potential as rookie rotational run-stopper. Wore down later in games and season, so definitely needs conditioning work. I grade him mid/late Round 6, an SEC-tough prospect for the back end of the unit.
Mirroring the defensive line, the linebacker room return intact for 2026. Nathan Landman came to L.A. and proved an incremental step up from recent past performers. The Rams decided to lock him through 2028. His sidekick, second-year Omar Speights, started 16 games and added 280 special teams reps. With Troy Reeder gone, Shaun Dolac should become the primary backup and Elias Neal spent a second season on the practice squad. While many fans call out for a step up in talent, the Rams have just haven’t shown this path. Since 2017, Ernest Jones at #103 of Round 3 in 2021 has been the only pick before Round 5. The likelihood is that L.A. takes another late shot
**Justin Jefferson - Alabama**
Four-star prospect out high school and second-ranked in the nation leaving junior college. Waited his turn at ‘Bama, toiling on special teams before becoming a full-time starter in 2025. Over 41 SEC games with 18 starts, Jefferson charted 149 tackles, 13 for loss, five sacks, and broke up seven passes.
Plays fast with top-grade athleticism creating both linear and lateral move skills. A true sideline-to sideline player. Jefferson is more than a chase and drag tackler, there’s thump and solid form to his striking. Good instincts sharpen his pursuit angles. At his size, stack/shed ability is not strong creating problems disengaging bigger blockers. He uses his short area agility and stop/start burst to remedy this. Very good coverage backer, in man his speed matches all but the fastest players and has the loose hips to mirror darting moves. Played a lot of zone at “Bama and follows quarterback eyes very well and stays aware of comings and goings through his area. Appears to have very good ball skills. Did a lot of blitz work off the edge at JUCO level, but at “Bama did a lot of delay blitzing. Not a lot moves, he relies on speed when rushing the passer.
Not your grandfather’s linebacker, Jefferson plays like a hard-hitting safety. Definitely a modern run and cover backer. It will be interesting to see his measurements, he’s listed at 6’1” 225 lb. He’s expected to test well and you can see his twitchy move skills on tape. Only one year as a starter, but a deep and strong history on special teams. He’s a banger, but will need better play strength to fight off pro blockers. I think he’s a sleeper and put a late Round 4 grade on him, while most other pundits have him going later. Makes him an even better value in my eyes.
Recruited to Ohio State as a lacrosse star, asked for re-instatement of eligibility, but was denied. Because of the lacrosse year, was only allowed three seasons at Oklahoma as a walk-on. Played safety in high school. Participated in 39 games, but only had five starts, Still booked 85 tackles, 12 for loss, three sacks, and four passes broken up.
Aggressive, downhill player. If there’s space, he’s exploding through in pursuit. Plays fast and is sneakily athletic. At 6’1” 227 lb. with short arms (30 3/8”), Heinecke struggles to stack/shed when bigger blockers lock on, but has nimble feet and quick jump cuts keep from being squared up while navigating heavy traffic. Good instincts supported by his ability to diagnose plays and blocking schemes. Good wrap-up tackler, even with his aggressive play style, very much under control when ready to strike. As a former safety, his pass coverage is good, he’s big enough to carry tight ends in man and reads/reacts well in zone.
Not a lot of college starts, but was named to All-SEC Second Team and was a standout in Senior Bowl workouts. Versatile prospect that fits both the “Mike” and “WILL” role, Heinecke also fits the Rams mold of guys with hot motors and football IQ. Big upside on special teams, likely four-phase. I grade him into a late Round 6/early Round 7 slot, his hair-on-fire style of play gives him a good chance of making a roster.
After the Top 15-20 defensive interior players that go in the first four rounds, there are a myriad of prospects. All have flaws and every team has different needs and traits they look for. I feel that both Gracen Halton and Nick Barrett fill Rams needs as mid/late round candidates where the starters and a primary backup are set. Halton is explosive and the better pass rusher from 3T while Barrett sits on the nose to force double teams and clog the middle run game.
I really like the two linebacker candidates Justin Jefferson and Owen Heinecke. Both have similar aggressive play styles and plus coverage skills. While not a lot of college starting experience, each had strong seasons and did it for top programs against top competition. They also share a history in four-phase special teams work along with the nature and athleticism to offer value there as they learn the pro game.
**Who do you like on Day 1 of the Combine?**
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