The Los Angeles Rams have lost another player in linebacker Nick Hampton, this time to the rising Carolina Panthers
The Los Angeles Rams roster is in great shape, so bringing back some of the lower-tier free agents is unlikely to happen. General manager Les Snead is likely to build more through the draft instead.
That said, another free agent has left Los Angeles and has now joined the Carolina Panthers. Inside linebacker Nick Hampton will now be joining the rising NFC squad.
Hampton was drafted by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Appalachian State.
Hampton appeared in 10 games in 2023, securing one pass defended and four total tackles. The 2024 season was similar, as he appeared in 14 games and secured one pass defended and three total tackles.
During the 2025 season, Hampton appeared in 12 games, bringing in a career-high 10 tackles. He posted 112 defensive snaps and played a primary role on special teams.
Hampton bounced between the active roster and practice squad in his final season with Los Angeles.
Considering how stacked the Rams are with their linebacker corps and pass rush, it makes sense as to why Hampton was not re-signed by the team. With the Panthers, he may get a more expanded role.
The good aspects of Hampton's defense are that he is explosive off the edge and could provide some good rotational pass rush for the Carolina defense. This is assuming that he gets the chance to do so.
Carolina has been a team on the brink of turning things around, and bringing in Hampton is a good choice.
Hampton is another of the younger players for the Rams who did not get extended past their rookie deals.
Cornerback Cobie Durant also left the team for the Dallas Cowboys. Despite playing a solid year, Durant was replaced by All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, who came over from the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Rams also kept safety Kam Curl, who is becoming one of the better safeties in the league. With a rebuilt secondary, the team chose instead to allow the other lower-tier defenders to find new homes.
McCreary, Durant, and Hampton are among those defenders who will not have a chance to carve out roles with their new teams.
For the Rams, Snead is also likely banking on the younger talent out of the draft to come in and play a more pivotal part on the future of this roster.
