Rams OLB Michael Hoecht Reveals Expectations of New Position

Los Angeles Rams' Michael Hoecht is expected to start at outside linebacker for first time in his career.

Last season was by far the Los Angeles Rams' worst since coach Sean McVay took the job in 2017, logging a 5-12 record. However, their 29.4 win percentage was in large part due to injuries to 2021 Super Bowl heroes, quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

Donald is one of very few members of the 2021 defense still in Los Angeles, but the 32-year-old has hinted at retirement since he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

With that being said, it might be time for some of the younger members of the front seven to step up as new leaders.

The Rams reported to their training camp facility at UC Irvine on Tuesday, four days before they begin workouts and conducted a brief press conference about a variety of topics, including the young defense.

Michael Hoecht was listed as a defensive lineman last season but primarily played special teams. However, he's expected to start as a blitzing linebacker due to the lack of depth.

Hoecht discussed how he's been adapting to his new position during the press conference.

"It's more about changing how you train," Hoecht said. "At three-tech position, you do a lot of twitch, get off-the-ball strategies immediately. This offseason I focused specifically on top-end speed and running more distance because I'll have to drop into coverage and run a bit more."

The 25-year-old mentioned that his new position group is very new to the NFL and they've had a lot of liberty in creating a culture.

"The outside linebacker room has a lot of ownership over it because we're all really young and this is [outside linebackers coach] Joe Coniglio's first year," Hoecht said.

Hoecht acknowledged that his young group will have to begin taking leadership roles earlier than expected.

"This is a next-up league and when you don't have a lot of veterans in your room, it's up to the young guys to step up and fill those roles," Hoecht said. "The expectation is we're going to be the best outside linebacker group. We're gonna play well, cover people, stop the run and get off the field on third down."

Even though his days in Los Angeles are dwindling, Hoecht looks forward to working with Donald.

"When [Donald] shows up he turns it on and it never shuts off until the end of the season," Hoecht said. "I'm excited to rush with him, play off of him and hopefully win together."

As a defensive lineman, Hoecht recorded 36 tackles (including four for loss), nine QB hits, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble on 38 percent of the snaps last season.

Now that he's expected to be a starting outside linebacker, who knows how much those numbers will inflate?

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