The Los Angeles Rams are still rebuilding their defensive line after Aaron Donald's retirement and loaded up on the defensive line in the offseason, adding Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Brennan Jackson, and Tyler Davis to a room returning Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, and Byron Young.
However, there still is a key spot left up in the air in the Rams' defense. Their base defensive end spot opposite of Kobie Turner, which Jonah Williams previously occupied, relies on relatively unproven players in Braden Fiske (potentially), Larell Murchison, and Desjuan Johnson. This spot has to be able to play gap-and-a-half technique and be an effective run stopper up front, which really none of the current roster has proven to be able to handle, leaving a crucial spot open in the starting lineup.
This role could be filled by a potential free agent in defensive lineman Lawrence Guy, who was previously a starter for the New England Patriots. The 34-year-old spent the last seven seasons on the Patriots' roster, appearing in two Super Bowls and winning one (ironically against the Rams). Guy was named a member of the New England Patriots All-2010s team for his efforts.
While Guy hasn't played in a gap-and-a-half defense before, he has done plenty of two-gapping, which is similar, and he has the experience to pick up the defense quickly. His snap count locations are pretty similar to Williams' last year.
| Alignment | Jonah Williams | Lawrence Guy |
| A-Gap | 4 | 4 |
| B-Gap | 113 | 239 |
| Over Tackle | 383 | 225 |
| Outside Tackle | 136 | 53 |
Guy and Williams also had similar production last season, with Williams recording 22 run stops and Guy recording 19 last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ideally, Guy isn't a full-time starter for the team who plays as many snaps as Williams did last season. However, the Rams do need to boost their run defense and add stronger defensive linemen up front to help occupy blockers and close down opposing run games, something Guy can handily do as part of their rotation.
The Rams have brought in several veterans on both sides of the ball this offseason, but haven't done so on their defensive line, a unit that could use a veteran presence with so much youth in the fray. Guy's experience and leadership as a former team captain could be invaluable for a unit searching for answers post-Donald.