The Los Angeles Rams are off on Tuesday, but the front office remained active, bolstering the team’s defense with Jesse Luketa. Luketa confirmed the news by sharing the report that surfaced on social media.
A linebacker, with whom the team is familiar from facing, Luketa adds depth to a stout group.
The Rams exited Week 11 ranked second in scoring defense and 13th overall on that side of the ball this season.
Former Cardinals LB Joins Rams
GettyJesse Luketa #43 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after making a tackle against the New York Jets.
Before joining the Rams, Luketa spent three seasons with one of their NFC West rivals, the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals selected Luketa in the seventh round with the No. 256 overall pick of the 2022 draft.
“Sources: Former #Cardinals OLB Jesse Luketa is signing today with the #Rams,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on X on November 18. “The former Penn State standout recorded three sacks and one forced fumble in 10 games last season. He is fully healthy after recovering from a season-ending thigh injury.”
Luketa joins the Rams with 35 total tackles, 3.0 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 31 career games played. He started two of those games.
The 6-foot-3, 250-plus-pound Luketa was viewed as more of an athlete than a refined rusher.
“A charged-up athlete, Luketa has an aggressive field demeanor with chase speed and finishing instincts. Although he has some tweener traits and frenetic habits, he usually plays assignment sound to fill/spill and create knock-back at contact,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in April 2022, ranking the new Rams defender as the 152nd-best prospect in the class.
“Luketa doesn’t have a great feel as a pass rusher and lacks consistency in coverage, but he is a good-sized athlete and covers ground with his active pursuit motor. He projects as a regular on special teams coverages and a hybrid rush linebacker in sub.”
Luketa’s draft pedigree is not a true indication of how he was viewed.
Like all prospects, opinions varied among observers. However, there were no doubts about his ability to play.
“Jesse Luketa (#40) is the rare prospect that simultaneously could have started for any defense in the country while also maybe not being one of the first 10 linebackers drafted,” Underdog’s Brett Kollmann posted on X in April 2022.
Rams Bolster Strong Position Group After Sean McVay’s Comments
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay on the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks.
Before adding Luketa, Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke highly about the Rams’ incumbent group of pass rushers, outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse, as well as defensive linemen Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner.
The Rams have the seventh-most sacks on the season entering Week 12. Moreover, they rank seventh in pressure rate, per Pro Football Reference.
Even after not sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, McVay praised LA’s front.
“They were effective. And that’s why I say stats are for losers, because they affected and influenced the game in a huge way. Obviously, Sam is a great quarterback, but he was getting off of his spot. I thought a lot of the pressure that we did get is what led to some of the decisions, where our guys ended up making some great plays to be able to get those four interceptions throughout the course of the day. Really proud of that group,” McVay told reporters postgame, also praising defensive coordinator Chris Shula and the defensive staff.
“Can’t say enough about the job. We have been excellent in the red zone, and I’m really proud of that group. But I thought our front had a big impact on that game, … even if the sacks didn’t necessarily show up.”
Now, that aggressive group gets another athletic member in Luketa, whom the Shula and the Rams’ other defensive coaches are now tasked with maximizing.
Luketa’s first chance to suit up for the Rams is in Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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