The Los Angeles Rams need to address the off-ball linebacker position in the upcoming draft to complement breakout star Nate Landman. Although starter Omar Speights has been a serviceable starter and solid run defender, he has limitations and generates very few splash plays, including tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. Speights has totaled just four tackles for loss, one sack, zero interceptions, and two forced fumbles across his first two seasons, including the playoffs. He is also a liability in coverage, recording five pass breakups while allowing a 76% completion rate during that span.
On top of that, the Rams’ depth aside from Landman and Speights is very thin, with Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard, and Elias Neal the only three backups under contract. Dolac logged just 42 defensive snaps as a rookie, while core special teamer Stuard has played only 299 snaps through five seasons, and Neal has yet to play on defense in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams host possible linebacker complement to breakout star
Cincinnati Bearcats, Jake Golday
Oct 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) attempts to tackle UCF Knights quarterback Cam Fancher (14) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Rams hosted Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday for a 30-visit. He is a strong run defender, solid in coverage, a consistent tackler, and an effective blitzer with an extensive background as a pass rusher dating back to his FCS days. Golday would immediately solve the defense’s lack of splash plays at linebacker, generating 21 across his two seasons in Cincinnati.
He is projected as an early-second round pick.
Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday has pre-draft visits with the Rams, Vikings and Bengals, per source.
Golday projects as one of the top off-ball linebackers in the draft.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 9, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his Cincinnati tenure
Cincinnati Bearcats, Jake Golday
Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs after a catch against Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Jake Golday transferred to Cincinnati in 2023 after spending his first three seasons at Central Arkansas. He transitioned from EDGE rusher to off-ball linebacker as a redshirt junior and eventually became the full-time starter. Golday recorded 58 tackles, seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles across 12 games, eight starts, and 453 defensive snaps. He also posted eight pressures, a 11.9% missed tackle rate, ten run stops, and allowed an 86.6 passer rating.
Jake Golday enjoyed a breakout redshirt senior campaign, setting career highs in tackles, sacks, and pass breakups, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. He recorded 105 tackles, six TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 12 games, 12 starts, and 681 defensive snaps. Golday also posted 18 pressures, a 9% missed tackle rate, 24 run stops, and allowed a 106.5 passer rating.
“Golday is a big, explosive linebacker with a game best suited for work near the line of scrimmage. He attacks climbing blockers with heavy, aggressive hands. He also shows the strength to stack, compress gaps and finish with authority. While his performance at the point of attack stands out, he can be a little late diagnosing play design and needs to work with a more preemptive downhill trigger at times.
“He’s more powerful than elusive as a blitzer and is average in coverage. Golday’s traits, explosiveness and field demeanor should make him an early special teams standout with the potential to eventually start at Sam or inside linebacker.
He projects as a plus starter.