Turf Show Times
Just how good can Kobie Turner be for the Rams?
The Los Angeles Rams surprised by making the playoffs last season in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Perhaps there was no bigger individual surprise on the 2023 version of the team than the breakout of then-rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner. Turner’s standout performance over the second half of the season even rivaled the record-breaking debut from his offensive co-star Puka Nacua.
Just how good can Turner be for the Rams? He was on the cusp of the top 10 interior pass rushers last year despite his draft status as a third round pick in the late compensatory range. This was a class of defenders comprised mostly of top draft choices and prized free agent signings. The only rookie defensive tackles in same conversation was Jalen Carter, selected ninth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second round pick Keeanu Benton, who had nearly half as many pass rushing snaps as Turner with roughly the same efficiency. The Rams couldn’t have asked for better value than what they are getting out of Turner, and there’s a chance the best has yet to come.
The former Wake Forest and Richmond product has surprised many around the NFL and has quickly become of the most important players on the Rams’ roster:
It’s no secret that the post-retirement absence of Aaron Donald will loom large for this defense. Even if Turner manages to take another step forward in conjunction with an influx of more talent along the defensive line—another year of development from Byron Young, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske—it’s difficult to imagine LA’s pass rush to improve without Donald. That’s certainly not a knock on the potential of Turner and company, but we can’t minimize the impact of Donald, not only in terms of his own production, but also in creating favorable opportunities for other defenders. Donald is the best interior pass rusher in the history of football. To think the Rams won’t miss him often this season would be unwise.
But if the Rams defense does take a step forward it will do so because Turner is at the center of its improvement. He’s already taken a leadership role by being amongst the first to welcome in LA’s latest crop of draftees. He sings the national anthem at Los Angeles sporting events, and has already become a fan favorite.
I asked last week whether Turner could become the next defensive star for Los Angeles. Most of the replies from fans said he already is. I’m personally not ready to label him as such, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the defensive tackle take his game to the next level and resoundingly answer that question with his...
