The Los Angeles Rams have a golden opportunity to bolster their defensive line, thanks to a recent move by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs released veteran defensive end Mike Danna, freeing up nearly $9 million in cap space and putting Danna on the market as a potential target for teams like the Rams who are eager to enhance their pass-rushing depth.
Why the Rams Need a Situational Pass Rusher
Throughout the 2025 season, the Rams' defensive line was one of the least rotated units in the NFL. Their top four players accounted for nearly 60% of all defensive line snaps, and they used only 12 players in total, tying them for the fewest in the league. Backup snaps made up just 40%, the second-lowest in the NFL.
Cody Alexander, an analyst on the Rams LAFB Show, highlighted the issue: “I think they need depth. The Rams are very much 11 people on the field.
When you look at the past two Super Bowls, teams like the Eagles and Seahawks could constantly rotate guys on the edge. The Rams need somebody who can come in and give a breather, even if it’s just for a cut, but you’re not losing anything doing that.”
In essence, the Rams need fresh legs on passing downs to maintain pressure, reduce fatigue, and prevent late-season drop-offs in defensive efficiency.
Danna’s 2025 Performance
Mike Danna's 2025 stats position him as a classic situational pass rusher. He logged 183 total pass-rush snaps, producing eight pressures, one sack, and a pressure rate of 4.4%.
His total EPA was +2.52. While these numbers might seem modest, his impact on 3rd-and-long was significant, boasting a 13.3% pressure rate, with one sack and two additional pressures on just 15 snaps.
Danna's versatility is another asset. He lined up both as an edge rusher and inside at defensive tackle, achieving a 25% pressure rate on 12 snaps from the left DT position and a 5.6% rate on 18 snaps from the right DT. This flexibility would allow defensive coordinator Chris Shula to use Danna in nickel and dime packages or slide him inside on passing downs, creating mismatches and keeping the starters fresh.
Filling the Rotation Gap
Compared to the league’s most rotated lines, such as those in Arizona and San Francisco, the Rams' 2025 rotation strategy was heavily reliant on their top players. The Rams’ top four players accounted for 59.94% of snaps, while Arizona's top four accounted for just 42.5%. Effective rotation helps maintain pressure and explosiveness deep into games, and for LA, Danna could be the missing piece, providing crucial snaps on 3rd downs while preserving the energy of players like Jared Verse and Byron Young.
“It’s about attrition,” Cody Alexander noted. “How healthy can you stay?
How fresh can you stay? The Rams need more depth.”
Why This Matters for 2026
Adding a situational pass rusher like Danna wouldn’t just be a plug-and-play move. He addresses several key issues:
- Fresh legs on passing downs to sustain pressure late in games
- Interior versatility to create mismatches against blocking schemes
- Positive EPA impact to help the defense get off the field
- Rotational depth to reduce starter fatigue
In a league where success hinges on both talent and freshness, adding a veteran like Danna could be a savvy, low-risk, high-reward move for the Rams. This addition would complement their top-tier edge players and strengthen a defensive line that has long relied on a small core of starters.