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With the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay just one month away, 257 college prospects will soon begin their professional careers. Meanwhile, established veterans across the league continue seeking their next opportunity.
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Rams welcomed four new players in the open market: WR Davante Adams, DT Poona Ford, LB Nate Landman, and C Coleman Shelton. These players addressed key roster needs prior to next month's draft. Furthermore, the Rams retained some notable contributors, including OT Alaric Jackson and CB Ahkello Witherspoon.
Despite these significant acquisitions and retentions, general manager Les Snead's work appears far from complete. According to Over The Cap, the Rams currently possess $21.213 million in available cap space — resources that could be deployed to strengthen remaining areas of concern, particularly at cornerback and linebacker.
Here is a look at some of the top remaining available options that the front office should consider bringing along ahead of April’s draft.
Replacing talent in the NFL is never easy. The Rams are still looking for a replacement for All-Pro Jalen Ramsey, whom the team shipped to the Miami Dolphins during the 2023 offseason. The team's current cornerback depth chart includes: Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes, A.J. Green, Shaun Jolly, Derion Kendrick, Cam Lampkin and Josh Wallace.
Witherspoon and Williams provide the room with a pair of veterans and leaders, but the rest of the group tries to prove their place. The Rams, overall, have lacked a true No. 1 CB since Ramsey. Insert former 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore. While the veteran will be 35 in September, the Two-Time All-Pro remains one of the position's most productive and durable players. Gilmore has missed just three games over the past three seasons. Playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Gilmore finished with 56 tackles, nine pass deflections, and interceptions, helping lead the Vikings to a 14-3 finish.
Although the five-time Pro Bowler may be in the latter part of his career, he would offer the secondary a proven leader and a day-one starter.
Think back to when the Rams had All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner in 2022. The future Hall of Famer, despite being on the opposite end of 30, provided the defense with just about everything, from run defense to pass coverage and pass rush.
In 2024, former Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks had one of the most productive seasons of his career while playing for the Dallas Cowboys despite a defense that experienced a decline. He finished with a team-high 138 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Kendricks had a pass rush grade of 78.5, ranking 12th out of 189 linebackers. He received a run defense grade of 78.3, scoring 33rd among linebackers, and a pass coverage grade of 62.7, ranked 61st. Overall, he earned a grade of 75.2, putting him at 27th out of 189 linebackers.
While the Rams did sign Nate Landman, adding a player like Kendricks, who at 33, gives the defense a veteran presence in the middle and a player who has recorded 115 plus tackles and three or more sacks over the past two seasons.
Last season, Los Angeles ranked in the bottom half of the league in team sacks, finishing with 38, good for 21st. The team hit big in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected DE Braden Fiske. As a rookie, Fiske led the team with 8.5 sacks and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Additionally, DE Kobie Turner has been another bright spot for the defense up front, with 17 sacks and 42 QB pressures in his first two seasons.
Signing veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith would strengthen the Rams' defensive line by providing a valuable presence who doesn't need to be the team's primary pass rusher. At 32 years old, he comes off a productive 2024 season, having played for both the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. During last season, he recorded nine sacks and 25 QB pressures, making him a reliable leader on the field.
Smith would also help bolster the Rams' run defense, which faced difficulties during the regular season. The team allowed an average of 130 yards per game, ranking 22nd in the league. Pro Football Focus gave Smith a run defense grade of 62.8, placing him a respectable 85th among 211 edge defenders.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL free agency: Rams' top remaining options
Continue reading...
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Rams welcomed four new players in the open market: WR Davante Adams, DT Poona Ford, LB Nate Landman, and C Coleman Shelton. These players addressed key roster needs prior to next month's draft. Furthermore, the Rams retained some notable contributors, including OT Alaric Jackson and CB Ahkello Witherspoon.
Despite these significant acquisitions and retentions, general manager Les Snead's work appears far from complete. According to Over The Cap, the Rams currently possess $21.213 million in available cap space — resources that could be deployed to strengthen remaining areas of concern, particularly at cornerback and linebacker.
Here is a look at some of the top remaining available options that the front office should consider bringing along ahead of April’s draft.
CB Stephon Gilmore
Replacing talent in the NFL is never easy. The Rams are still looking for a replacement for All-Pro Jalen Ramsey, whom the team shipped to the Miami Dolphins during the 2023 offseason. The team's current cornerback depth chart includes: Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes, A.J. Green, Shaun Jolly, Derion Kendrick, Cam Lampkin and Josh Wallace.
Witherspoon and Williams provide the room with a pair of veterans and leaders, but the rest of the group tries to prove their place. The Rams, overall, have lacked a true No. 1 CB since Ramsey. Insert former 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore. While the veteran will be 35 in September, the Two-Time All-Pro remains one of the position's most productive and durable players. Gilmore has missed just three games over the past three seasons. Playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, Gilmore finished with 56 tackles, nine pass deflections, and interceptions, helping lead the Vikings to a 14-3 finish.
Although the five-time Pro Bowler may be in the latter part of his career, he would offer the secondary a proven leader and a day-one starter.
LB Eric Kendricks
Think back to when the Rams had All-Pro LB Bobby Wagner in 2022. The future Hall of Famer, despite being on the opposite end of 30, provided the defense with just about everything, from run defense to pass coverage and pass rush.
In 2024, former Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks had one of the most productive seasons of his career while playing for the Dallas Cowboys despite a defense that experienced a decline. He finished with a team-high 138 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Kendricks had a pass rush grade of 78.5, ranking 12th out of 189 linebackers. He received a run defense grade of 78.3, scoring 33rd among linebackers, and a pass coverage grade of 62.7, ranked 61st. Overall, he earned a grade of 75.2, putting him at 27th out of 189 linebackers.
While the Rams did sign Nate Landman, adding a player like Kendricks, who at 33, gives the defense a veteran presence in the middle and a player who has recorded 115 plus tackles and three or more sacks over the past two seasons.
OLB Za'Darius Smith
Last season, Los Angeles ranked in the bottom half of the league in team sacks, finishing with 38, good for 21st. The team hit big in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected DE Braden Fiske. As a rookie, Fiske led the team with 8.5 sacks and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Additionally, DE Kobie Turner has been another bright spot for the defense up front, with 17 sacks and 42 QB pressures in his first two seasons.
Signing veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith would strengthen the Rams' defensive line by providing a valuable presence who doesn't need to be the team's primary pass rusher. At 32 years old, he comes off a productive 2024 season, having played for both the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. During last season, he recorded nine sacks and 25 QB pressures, making him a reliable leader on the field.
Smith would also help bolster the Rams' run defense, which faced difficulties during the regular season. The team allowed an average of 130 yards per game, ranking 22nd in the league. Pro Football Focus gave Smith a run defense grade of 62.8, placing him a respectable 85th among 211 edge defenders.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL free agency: Rams' top remaining options
Continue reading...
