If you read my previous two articles on the Los Angeles Rams entering the 2025 season which was the 2025 pre-draft preview of the team, as well as the 2025 post draft offensive outlook of the team. You could see that I felt they were a very talented team that had its ups and downs. While headed into next season, if they could fix certain things they could certainly take the leap to being a team who could reach the Super Bowl. On the offensive side of things, the Rams have a ton of talent headed into next season and being led by one of the premier offensive minded head coaches and one of the premier quarterbacks, the offense will almost assuredly carry its end of the bargain. Headed into the next season, the defense was more of the concern and here I will go into detail regarding how the team stacks up defensively headed into 2025 as of now. Headed into the 2025 season, the Rams’ defense is being led by defensive coordinator Chris Shula who is going into his second season as an NFL defensive coordinator, both with the Rams. The Rams’ defense had its ups and downs this past season and their major metrics/rankings during the 2024 season can be found below.
Los Angeles Rams 2024 Key Defensive Metrics/Standings
17th in points per game allowed
26th in yards per game allowed
18th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above the Rams were a very mediocre defensive team over the course of this past season as they had their struggles with a rookie defensive coordinator. The Rams also had several players who were just far too young this past season and the youth in terms of defensive coaching and personnel indeed affected them. Towards the end of the season the Rams eventually got better on the defensive side of the ball. As if you take out the week 18 matchup vs Seattle when the Rams were resting starters, Los Angeles allowed less than 10 points to their opposition in weeks 15, 16, 17, and in their first playoff game vs Minnesota. With three of those four opponents being top 10 caliber offenses during the 2024 season. Los Angeles also looked stout defensively vs the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles in their playoff loss holding Philadelphia to under 30 points. With the Eagles scoring 40 or more points in both the Conference Championship and Super Bowl. Headed into next season with defensive coordinator Chris Shula going into year two as an NFL defensive coordinator. Along with the Rams having multiple key young players also in line to improve as they gain more experience, the Rams are optimistic they can field an elite caliber defense in the 2024 campaign. I have conducted a full analysis of the Rams’ defensive personnel during the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season below. I have listed each player in each unit and I have listed the defense grade that each player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. In addition to listing the defense grade I have also included my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season. Beginning below with the front seven of the team during the 2024 season.
Los Angeles Rams’ 2024 Front Seven
Interior Defensive Line
DL – Kobie Turner – (18/146) defense grade in 2024 over 834 snaps, B+ to A-
DL – Braden Fiske – (79/146) defense grade in 2024 over 662 snaps, C so far as ’24 2nd rd
DL – Bobby Brown III – (50/146) defense grade in 2024 over 472 snaps, B to B-
DL – Tyler Davis – (100/146) defense grade in 2024 over 298 snaps, C so far as ’24 6th rd
DL – Neville Gallimore – (115/146) defense grade in 2024 over 263 snaps, C
DL – Desjuan Johnson – (42/146) defense grade in 2024 over 120 snaps, B-
DL – Jonah Williams – (138/146) defense grade in 2024 over 99 snaps, C to C+
Edge Defenders
ED – Byron Young – (85/135) defense grade in 2024 over 844 snaps, C so far as ’23 3rd rd
ED – Jared Verse – (9/135) defense grade in 2024 over 833 snaps, A- so far as ’24 1st rd
ED – Michael Hoecht – (77/135) defense grade in 2024 over 639 snaps, C to C+
ED – Brennan Jackson – (117/135) defense grade in 2024 over 47 snaps, C-
ED – Keir Thomas – (133/135) defense grade in 2024 over 39 snaps, C-
ED – Nick Hampton – (21/135) defense grade in 2024 over 11 snaps, C to C+
Linebackers
LB – Christian Rozeboom – (64/92) defense grade in 2024 over 828 snaps, C
LB – Omar Speights – (40/92) defense grade in 2024 over 419 snaps, C+ to B-, 2024 UDFA
LB – Troy Reeder – (69/92) defense grade in 2024 over 372 snaps, C to C+
LB – Jake Hummel – (11/92) defense grade in 2024 over 74 snaps, B+ in very limited snaps
Rams 2024 Key Front Seven Metrics
22nd in rushing yards per game allowed
10th in pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
14th in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
21st in sacks
As you can see from this final set of data the Rams got pretty average to mediocre front seven production this past season. Ranking below average in two of the key metrics while ranking above average in the remaining two metrics. The Rams’ defensive line was led by the likes of Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown III both of whom graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of a defense among qualified players at their position in 2024. Braden Fiske also logged substantial snaps on the defensive front during the 2024 season and had a respectable year as a 2024 2nd round pick. However, his play as a rookie in totality was no better than average to mediocre and the Rams will be counting on him to really improve headed into next season. Jared Verse was a standout coming off the edge for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2024 season as he had a very strong year as a rookie first rounder and he projects to be a star at the position for years to come. The rest of the edge defenders struggled however including 2024 rookie third rounder Byron Young who had a meager rookie season. The linebacking unit was also one of concern for the Rams this past season as the unit in totality produced at an average to a mediocre rate. Headed into next season, the Rams have added a few notable players to their front seven and outside of that the improvements that they hope to see up front will stem from their rookie defensive coordinator headed into year 2 along with the improvement of some young players as well. The few notable pieces the Rams have added to their front seven are interior defensive lineman Poona Ford from the Chargers, linebacker Nate Landman from the Falcons, and 2025 third rounder Josaiah Stewart off the edge. The projected 2025 front seven lineup for the Los Angeles Rams can be found below.
2025 Rams Projected Front Seven Lineup
LDE – Braden Fiske – C so far as 2024 second round pick
NT – Poona Ford – B+ to A-
RDE – Kobie Turner – B+ to A-
WLB – Byron Young – C so far as 2023 third round pick
LILB – Troy Reeder – C+
RILB – Omar Speights – B- so far as 2024 undrafted free agent
SLB – Jared Verse – A- so far as 2024 first round pick
As you can see from the above the Rams have three high level players in their front seven who all project to rank among the better if not among the best players at their positions in 2025. Nose tackle Poona Ford, defensive end Kobie Turner, and linebacker Jared Verse, all graded to be in the B+ range or higher as overall players. The team is hoping that 2024 second round pick Braden Fiske can improve upon his rookie season and start to play like a second-round pick. Byron Young, who was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has unfortunately underwhelmed thus far in the NFL but the Rams are optimistic that he can break out in year 3 in the league keeping him in the starting lineup. Omar Speights had a strong rookie season despite being an undrafted free agent before the 2024 season and Los Angeles is optimistic he can continue to maintain/improve upon his level of play. Outside of that Troy Reeder is a capable player in the remaining starting spot but I would imagine that some of the players currently listed as reserves for the Rams will push him for that starting position. The improvements that the Los Angeles Rams are hoping to see from their front seven next season will stem from how much young players in the front seven improve. The players I am referring to are 2024 UDFA Omar Speights, 2023 3rd rounder Byron Young, and 2024 2nd rounder Braden Fiske. The projected Rams’ front seven reserves are listed below as well.
Projected 2025 Rams’ Front Seven Reserves
ED – Desjuan Johnson – C+ to B-
DL – Tyler Davis – C so far as 2024 6th rounder
DL – Ty Hamilton – 2025 fifth rounder
ED – Josaiah Stewart – 2025 third rounder
LB – Nate Landman – B-
LB – Chris Paul Jr – 2025 fifth rounder
ED – Brennan Jackson – D in very limited snaps as 2024 fifth rounder
DL – Larrell Murchison – C
DL – Bill Norton – UDFA 2025
DL – Jack Heflin – D+
ED – Keir Thomas – D+ to C-
LB – Eli Neal – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
LB – Tony Fields II – C
ED – Nick Hampton – C
DL – Da’Jon Terry – UDFA 2025
DL – DeCarius Hawthorne – UDFA 2025
ED – Josh Pearcy – UDFA 2025
LB – Shaun Dalac – UDFA 2025
ED – Jamil Muhammad – UDFA 2025
From a reserve standpoint, Desjuan Johnson, 2025 third rounder Josaiah Stewart, and newly acquired linebacker from Atlanta in Nate Landman, are all capable of providing the Rams with high end capabilities from the reserve unit in the front seven. Perhaps if some of the young players in the front seven do not improve and/or if Troy Reeder underperforms, some of the aforementioned players who are currently in reserve front seven roles could compete for a starting position. If the young players in the Rams’ front seven improve their level of play, then the Rams could have amongst the premier front sevens in the NFL. But if they don’t, then the Rams’ front seven will likely produce at the similar overall average level as it did this past season. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Rams’ secondary headed into next season as well below.
2024 Rams’ Secondary
Cornerbacks
CB – Cobie Durant – (68/128) defense grade in 2024 over 777 snaps, C+
CB – Darious Williams – (84/128) defense grade in 2024 over 765 snaps, B to B-
CB – Ahkello Witherspoon – (74/128) defense grade in 2024 over 493 snaps, C+
CB – Tre’Davious White – (110/128) defense grade in 2024 over 252 snaps, C+ to B-
CB – Josh Wallace – (126/128) defense grade in 2024 over 155 snaps, D- so far as ’24 UDFA
CB – Emmanuel Forbes – (126/128) defense grade in 2024 over 160 snaps, C to C- so far as ’24 1st rounder
CB – Charles Woods – (107/128) defense grade in 2024 over 14 snaps, C so far as ’24 UDFA
Safeties
S – Quentin Lake – (64/104) defense grade in 2024 over 1070 snaps, C+
S – Kamren Curl – (40/104) defense grade in 2024 over 980 snaps, B to B+
S – Kamren Kinchens – (37/104) defense grade in 2024 over 514 snaps, B so far as ’24 3rd rd
S – Jaylen McCollough – (66/104) defense grade in 2024 over 336 snaps, C
S – John Johnson III – (2/104) defense grade in 2024 over 59 snaps, B+
S – Russ Yeast – (104/104) defense grade in 2024 over 21 snaps, D+ to C-
2024 Key Rams’ Secondary Metrics
20th in passing yards per game allowed
23rd in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from this last set of data the Rams had their struggles in the back end of their defense during the 2024 campaign. The cornerback unit was very disappointing in the 2024 season as every player who logged snaps graded below average in terms of a defense grade last season. The Rams’ cornerbacks last season were talented as more than a few players for the Rams this past season have shown a very high ceiling but all seem to struggle with consistency. The inconsistency in totality of the Rams’ cornerback unit during the 2024 season combined with a rookie defensive coordinator led to the struggles the unit saw in the 2024 campaign. In terms of safeties, Los Angeles saw better production from the unit but the unit in totality still had its struggles. Headed into next season, the Rams have not done much to bolster the talent in the back end of their defense. But they are optimistic that players who have shown promise and a high ceiling thus far in the NFL can become more consistent and perform closer to their A game next season. Especially as Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula goes into his second season as an NFL defensive coordinator. The small changes that have been made by the Rams with regards to the back end of their defense are the following. They have not resigned veterans John Johnson III and Tre’Davious White, Johnson III remains a free agent and could still return to the team, while White has resigned with his former team in the Buffalo Bills. The Rams have also signed 2020 undrafted free agent A.J Green III who has shown some promise in limited NFL action as well. The projected 2025 secondary lineup for the Los Angeles Rams can be found below.
Projected 2025 Rams Secondary
Starters
LCB – Darious Williams – B
SS – Kamren Curl – B to B+
FS – Kamren Kinchens – B so far as 2024 third rounder
RCB – Ahkello Witherspoon – C+
NB – Quentin Lake – C+
Reserves
CB – Cobie Durant – C+
S – Jaylen McCollough – C so far as 2024 UDFA
S – Tanner Ingle – 0 career snaps as 2023 UDFA
CB – Derion Kendrick – C to C-
CB – Josh Wallace – D- so far as 2024 UDFA
CB – Cam Lampkin – 0 career snaps as 2024 UDFA
S – Malik Dixon – 2025 UDFA
S – Nate Valcarcel – UDFA 2025
CB – Emmanuel Forbes – C- so far as 2023 first rounder
CB – Charles Woods – D+
CB – AJ Green III – B in very limited snaps
CB – Shaun Jolly – 0 career snaps as 2022 UDFA
As you can see from the above the Rams have a promising secondary headed into the 2025 season but still many concerns. Cornerback Darious Williams has shown a very high ceiling thus far in the NFL but has been known to struggle with consistency. Williams had a down year last season and it remains to be seen if he can recapture his old form as he will play the 2025 season at an advanced age of 32 years old. Safeties Kamren Curl and Kamren Kinchens form one of the more talented safety duos in the NFL but as of now neither has proven to be a great player yet. Although Kinchens in particular can maybe become a great player as he heads into year 2 building off a very strong rookie season. The remaining two starting spots in the back end are a question mark as perhaps Ahkello Witherspoon and Quentin Lake are better suited as reserves. The Rams have a few notable names in their backend defense who are currently listed as reserves. Cobie Durant has shown a high ceiling thus far in the NFL and maybe could push one of the aforementioned players for a starting role and will at worst provide the Rams with some high-end capabilities from a bench standpoint. A similar narrative can be said for corners Emmanuel Forbes and AJ Green III who are currently listed as reserves as well. Forbes was a 2023 first round pick who has had his struggles in the NFL thus far but has still proven to be capable. Forbes had a decent respectable rookie season before really struggling with injuries and ostensibly apathy in year 2 in the league. It is very possible that Forbes builds off his solid but not spectacular rookie season and starts to play like a first-round pick headed into the 2025 campaign. AJ Green III played in just 1 snap in his 2020 rookie season, before playing in a limited portion of 176 snaps in 2021 and 142 snaps in 2022. In 2021 he graded among the best corners in the NFL but in 2022 he graded amongst the weakest corners in the NFL. Given his inconsistency but still incredibly high ceiling, Green III, who was signed this offseason, could also provide the Rams with some high-end capabilities off the bench and maybe eventually could compete for a starting job. In totality, the Rams’ secondary could be good if not very good but likely not great next season. The success the Rams see in their back end next season will be directly correlated to how well their cornerbacks play as the team’s starting safety unit projects to be very strong. Veteran cornerback Darious Williams has shown a very high ceiling in the NFL but has been known to struggle with consistency. How well he performs next year at the age of 32 now, will go a long way towards dictating how strong the Rams’ backend is next season. The remaining two starting cornerback spots are a big concern as of now as the Rams do not have a surefire starter to fill either one of the positions right now. Whether or not certain players can be on their A game to fill those positions will go a long way towards dictating how strong the Rams are on the backend next season.
Overall, the Rams’ defense during the 2024 campaign was an average to a mediocre unit in totality over the course of this past season. The team had its defensive struggles with so many young players and with a rookie defensive coordinator. However, in the latter portion of the season the Rams’ defense really came into its own and started producing at an elite level. The Rams held the 49ers, Cardinals, and Vikings, three top 10 caliber offenses in 2024, to 10 points or less in the tail end of the season and in the first round of the playoffs. The Rams also played well on defense vs the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles holding them to less than 30 points. While the eventual champion Eagles poured on over 40 points in both the Conference Championship and Super Bowl. So once the young Rams’ defensive players and the rookie Rams’ defensive coordinator got into a groove as the season waned, Los Angeles consistently fielded an elite caliber defense.
Headed into next season, the Rams have not changed much from a personnel standpoint on the defensive side of things. They are optimistic that they can continue their defensive play from the end of the 2024 season into next year. They are also hopeful that many young players who have not yet come into their own due to inexperience can start to enter their primes. While also hoping that defensive coordinator Chris Shula headed into year two as an NFL defensive coordinator, will have the defense perform better in totality as well as he gains more experience in the role. The Rams’ defense could be very good if not great next season. Whether or not it is the latter of the two will be contingent upon the improvement of young players along with the improvement of 2024 rookie defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
