Turf Show Times
Josh Pearcy and Jamil Muhammad have their work cut out
At first glance, the Los Angeles Rams edge unit seems a position of strength. Of the main characters, Jared Verse looks to be a star on the rise, Byron Young has produced two solid seasons, and L.A. used a Round 3 pick in the 2025 draft to add Josiah Stewart, a highly-projected college edge.
After the Top 3, there’s not a lot of clarity. Both Brennan Jackson and Nick Hampton battled injuries last season. Jackson got behind in camp with a soft tissue problem and lingering issues limited his rookie year to being active in only eight games. Hampton did special teams work until tearing a pectoral muscle and shutting down in Week 13. Keir Thomas enters his fourth season with the Rams and although not prototypical in size or athleticism, has the most on-field experience, playing in 17 games with 204 defensive snaps and 147 on special teams.
In addition to drafting Stewart, L.A. brought in two undrafted free agents to compete. Let’s take a capsule look at them.
Pro Day: 1.67/4.83 forty 7.18 shuttle 4.47 3cone 31” vert 9’ 6” broad 25 reps
Fifth-year senior was a high school All-Region quarterback and originally signed with Vanderbilt. Muhammad did not suit up for the Commodores before moving to Georgia State for three seasons and switching to the defensive side. For the Panthers, he accrued 10 starts in 34 games with 70 tackles, 11 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He transferred to USC for the 2023 and ‘24 seasons, starting 22 of 26 games and posting 73 tackles, 12 for loss, and 7.5 sacks.
Muhammad’s frame is on the short/squatty side compared to NFL edge standards, but has adequate length and good upper body strength. He uses this natural low leverage to his advantage, whether on the bullrush or using a long arm move and spinning off of it. Although not a gifted athlete, he does have a loose body with short area agility, a good first step, and change of direction. I not sure if it means anything, but Muhammad lined up primarily on the short side of the field. He makes short drops into coverage smoothly and is a good tackler. He gets a lot of hustle/effort sacks, staying aware of where the ball goes and hustling to it in pursuit.
As defensive ends go, Muhammad is still in the learning stage of the position and getting used to 40+ pounds he’s had to add. He’s bulked up to a similar frame as Rams Round 3 draftee, Josiah Stewart. Muhammad showed he could step up in class by having a strong first season at USC, but fell off a bit in stats and starts in Year 2. He checks off a lot of L.A.’s late-round boxes, smart, 100% effort, stepping up in class, and special teams experience.
