The Los Angeles Rams could bolster their defense by adding Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Rams will look to bolster their defense in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
They've done a spectacular job so far by mightily improving their secondary with the additions of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Los Angeles could still use some tweaks on that end, and they will look to do so in next month's draft.
The Rams hold seven picks in this year's draft after they traded away three of them to the Kansas City Chiefs to add McDuffie. Many predict the Rams to use their first-round pick on offense, either on a wide receiver or an offensive lineman.
After that, the Rams could use their picks to bolster the roster on the defensive side of the ball. One name that has been linked to the Rams is Texas' first-team All-SEC linebacker, Anthony Hill Jr.
Hill Jr. is viewed as an ideal draft fit for the Rams this upcoming season.
"But dropping a versatile, impact linebacker weapon into the defense could make it almost unfair. Nate Landman has done a nice job for Los Angeles, but upgrades never hurt. Hill would put the linebacker corps at an entirely different level athletically and help Chris Shula really release a bevy of looks and calls."
The two-time second-team All-American linebacker has established himself as a stalwart. Hill, 21, has all the tools to be an elite linebacker in the league, and the Rams could benefit from that.
Landman has been a revelation for the Rams. The linebacker position has been a weak point for the Rams in recent years, but Landman helped stabilize the unit. While he’s shown flashes of being an impact player, it never hurts to add depth at the position.
Considering Hill's talent and youth, he could be a perfect fit for the Rams. According to NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein, his NFL comparison is former Ram and All-Pro Bobby Wagner.
"Three-down linebacker with the playing demeanor and production of a future Pro Bowler. He posted 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles in his three seasons at Texas, making an impact in every phase. He’s instinctive, athletic and under control, transitioning seamlessly from read to react to finish. He plays with downhill thump to thwart interior blocks and the speed to pursue runners from sideline to sideline."
In Hill's college career, he finished with 249 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, three interceptions and eight forced fumbles.