The Los Angeles Rams have gone with low-cost, high-value options at inside linebacker in recent seasons, and they could turn to another in former Arizona Cardinals starter Kyzir White in free agency to bolster their roster for training camp.
White was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft, where the Los Angeles Chargers selected him with the No. 119 overall pick.
He remains available as teams around the league report for training camp.
“White has bounced around in the last few seasons, playing for the Chargers, Eagles and then Cardinals,” USA Today’s Nick Brinkerhoff wrote on July 17. “He found a home in Arizona over the last two years, but has produced for every team. A 17-game starter with 137 tackles in 2024, White is a capable linebacker that has flown under the radar. The 29-year-old could be a nice addition for a linebacker-needy team at this stage of the offseason.”
White is coming off a two-year, $10 million contract, with $18.6 million in career earnings.
He has logged at least 110 combined tackles in three of the past four seasons, and 90-plus total stops in four straight. He started all 17 games in two of those seasons, in 2024 with Arizona and 2021 with the Chargers, and played in all 17 games in another.
The Rams could also have an underlying need to bolster the second level of their feisty defensive front with a player like White.
Kyzir White Can Address Underlying Need for Rams
GettyJared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams’ defense finished the season strong, but they still ranked 22nd against the run, which showed up at the most inopportune times.
USA Today’s Tyler Dragon wondered if the Rams had “improved enough defensively.”
“Braden Fiske and reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse are emerging stars, but the Rams ranked 26th in the NFL in total defense a year ago,” Dragon wrote on July 13. “Los Angeles’ defensive shortcomings were highlighted when Saquon Barkley rushed for 460 yards and four TDs in two games (including one playoff contest) against them. The offense, with the addition of Davante Adams, figures to be formidable.”
Notably, Pro Football Focus gave White the lowest grade of his career despite his career year in tackles for his 2024 effort, marking his second straight season of significant decline.
However, his season-long coverage grade (32.0) belied strong marks in run defense (73.0) and tackling (70.0). Had he been with the Rams in 2024, White would have ranked third with his 1,015 snaps and been behind only Omar Speights in tackling and run defense with those marks.
Rams Boast Deep LB Room
GettyThe Rams broke their trend to land Chris Paul Jr. in the 2025 NFL Draft.
White would join a crowded linebacker room with the Rams. LA returns Speights and reserve Troy Reeder to an LB group that now includes veteran free agent signing Nate Landman and rookie fifth-round draft pick Chris Paul.
Leading tackler Christian Rozeboom signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Speights ranked fourth on the Rams in total stops behind Rozeboom and safeties Kam Curl and Quentin Lake.
Reeder started all six of the games he played in during the 2024 regular season, and he had not missed a game coming into the campaign. Paul is unproven but, at least in theory, possesses the most upside of that group.
There is depth, but nothing that should prevent the Rams from exploring options like White.
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