Los Angeles Rams: Top 3 training camp battles in 2019

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Greg Gaines #99 of the Washington Huskies attempts to intercept a pass by Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Battle #1: Greg Gaines vs. Tanzel Smart (NT)

The Rams’ nose tackle in 2018 was Ndamukong Suh, who was obviously just on a one-year deal with the Rams last year and has returned to the state of Florida to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Rams made some splash moves in free agency but they didn’t make any splash moves to replace Suh, at least not with anyone of a similar caliber.

They did, however, bring in some competition at nose tackle in the form of Washington’s Greg Gaines, who they picked in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Gaines’ top competition on the Rams’ roster will be Tanzel Smart, who played just six snaps last season.

There are plenty of snaps to go around here, so perhaps these two guys will split, but the early (smart) money is on Gaines.

The 2018 All-Pac 12 selection was named the conference defensive lineman of the year last season and rightly so after he racked up 56 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and an interception.

Gaines is a fiery, strong, squatty defensive lineman who plays with his hair on fire, as they say.

Smart is entering his third season with the Rams, but he’s going to have to hold off the rookie Gaines.

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