Samson

Ebukam

It’s a brutal outcome for Ebukam, who joined the Colts last season and immediately turned in a career year. The eight-year vet totaled career highs in tackles (57), TFLs (10), and sacks (9.5) while starting all 17 games he appeared in. Ebukam, 29, has 33 career sacks to his name and was expected to build on his breakout campaign from last season in his second year with the Colts.

Ebukam completed a two-year, $12 million deal with the 49ers and had 9.5 sacks over that timespan as a rotational rusher. He played 51% of the snaps in 2022 and 59% in 2023. We’re guessing the maximum value of the contract is probably a smidge higher than the actual total value of the deal. Ebukam will probably again profile as a rotational pass rusher next to Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo.

The deal can reach up to $13.5 million with incentives. It’s a startling number for the 25-year-old, who was primarily used as an EDGE rusher in collecting 14 sacks across four seasons in Los Angeles. He’ll continue to be used as a rotational player on passing downs with the Niners.

Ebukam hasn’t missed a game since being a fourth-round pick in 2017. He has just five sacks through two seasons after being drafted as a favorite of DC Wade Phillips. The Rams re-signed OLB Dante Fowler and gave edge rusher Clay Matthews a two-year deal this week. The two of them and Ebukam figure to form the Rams’ main trio off the edge this year.

Ebukam had the game of his young career Monday night against the Chiefs. He became just the 11th player since AFL/NFL merger to return both a fumble and interception for a touchdown. Last year’s fourth-rounder, Ebukam also got a QB hit on Patrick Mahomes late to force a fourth-quarter interception for Marcus Peters. Teammate Aaron Donald was also deserving of the award.

Ebukam is an outstanding athlete, with his SPARQ composite score placing him in the 96th percentile. In Wade Phillips’ defense Ebukam will likely play on the edge and work in a rotation with the goal of developing into a pass rusher. He recorded 15 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 2016. This is the second EWU prospect the rams have drafted this year.

Ebukam was a fourth-round pick last year after running a 4.50 forty and posting 39-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jumps at his Pro Day. A SPARQ freak, Ebukam played 359 snaps as a rookie, recording two sacks. He’s a favorite of DC Wade Phillips and will be asked to step up after the Rams traded OLB Robert Quinn to Miami and aren’t expected to re-sign Connor Barwin.

A fourth-rounder last season, Ebukam played 359 snaps as a rookie. With Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin gone from last year’s squad, it’ll be Ebukam and presumably Matt Longacre manning the OLB spots this year, with Cory Littleton and Mark Barron on the inside. Ebukam came out of Eastern Washington running 4.50 forty with a 39-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump.