The Rams are releasing 2024 fifth-rounder Brennan Jackson, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
As Schefter noted, Jackson finished second in the NFL in preseason sacks.
Jackson’s L.A. stint was brief but promising. Drafted No. 154 overall out of Washington State, he spent most of 2024 learning the position on Sundays before finally popping this August.
He stacked two sacks vs. the Chargers and then detonated a 24-yard sack of Shedeur Sanders against Cleveland, giving him a three-sack preseason that left him tied for No. 2 in the league on ESPN’s preseason leaderboard.
The production spike was real, and the numbers were too.
From a roster-building perspective, the Edge/OLB spots are crowded, special-teams roles are finite, and the Rams would love to keep him, but L.A. has other needs to cover on the 53.
Jackson’s cut hurts great roster predictions, but Jackson is good enough to help right away wherever he lands next. Three smart fits would be:
- Tennessee Titans — Tennessee turned over its edge group after moving on from Harold Landry and has been open about seeking more help behind the top trio. Jackson’s motor and cost-controlled deal fit a club that’s still sorting rotational rush snaps.
- Carolina Panthers — Even after investing at EDGE, Carolina has treated the spot as an ongoing need throughout the offseason. Jackson profiles as immediate depth with special-teams value while their young pieces develop.
- Cincinnati Bengals — Cincinnati’s edge room has lived in headlines amid Trey Hendrickson’s contract saga that was finally resolved today, adding an affordable pass-rush depth is a priority on a team wanting to be a contender.
This move gets the Rams’ 53 closer to where we had it, but it doesn’t change what Jackson put on film.
He’s a high-effort edge who just finished second in preseason sacks, so he won’t stay unattached for long. He is a high-ceiling potential addition for any team that needs juice off the bench on passing downs.