6 times PFF's projected Rams starting lineup missed key position battles

(1) - TE Tyler Higbee

While the pattern for the Rams offense has consistently been to bench talented rookies in their first NFL season, regardless of when they are chosen, I truly expect that pattern to be broken in 2025. The team had tried and failed to land a quality pass-catching type of tight end in both the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts. But with their third attempt, the Rams truly seem pleased to select rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson.

The Rams never use two running backs in the backfield. But if the team does use a two-tight-end offensive formation in any measurable capacity, you can bet that Ferguson will take the football field.

The Rams roster is built for much more 12-personnel. The team may need to ease rookie TE Terrance Ferguson into the offense in bite-sized chunks, and a steadily increasing diet of two tight-end sets in the offensive game plan is an ideal way to bring that about. The team will certainly carry three tight ends on the roster this season, but the more likely number is four. That gives the team two pass-catching tight ends (Tyler Higbee, Ferguson) and two blocking tight ends (Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen)

Whether or not the Rams suddenly find the wherewithal to commit a significant number of offensive snaps does not impact the need to add Terrance Ferguson. The Rams are not going to run two running backs in any play. But the team will run two tight ends on short-yardage and goalline offensive scenarios.

Unless injured, the team will target Higbee most often this season. But Terrance Ferguson will be a meaningful contributor to the offense in 2025. At least, he'd better be.

(1) - Edge Jared Verse, Byron Young

The Rams' defense is more than a set of starters, a handful of rotational players, and backups who never step foot onto the football field. In many ways, the depth of the Rams' roster on the defensive side of the football is far more critical than anywhere else on the team. Rams DC Chris Shula loves to rotate players through quickly, and that is evident in the way the team managed edge rushers in 2024.

While the team managed to get six edge rushers onto the football field in 2024, the primary three players to see action were Jared Verse, Byron Young, and former Rams DT/OLB Michael Hoecht. Even as a backup, Hoecht had nearly as many defensive snaps as his two teammates. So I wouldn't be so quick to represent the Rams' edge rushing as simply Jared Verse and Byron Young,

The addition of Michigan OLB Josaiah Stewart is more about finding an ideal fit for a rapidly improving pass rush than simply checking the box to fill the vacated edge role left in the wake of Hoecht's departure. Stewart is a different beast at that spot altogether.

While a bit smaller than the typical edge rusher, Stewart is amazingly quick, powerful, and agile for his size. As such, he is an immediate upgrade in pass coverage. And once he gains familiarity with the Rams defensive scheme, plays, and roster, he can grow into the best pass coverage edge rusher on the team.

But where Stewart truly shines is his exhaustive energy at rushing the passer. He is a relentless pitbull, charging in ferociously with an impressive arsenal of pass rush moves that puts him in the quarterback's face in time to impact the play. He is a gifted pass rusher. Not just due to his number of quarterback sacks, but because he disrupts the timing and rhythm of the offense. That disruption allows his teammates to make a play as well.

The Rams roster also boasts the likes of returning players Brennan Jackson, Keir Thomas, and Nick Hampton, The team also signed rookies Jamil Muhammad and Josh Pearcy after the draft. So there are eight players currently in the running for four roster spots. But the way the Rams rotate rapidly at the edge position, the depth chart needs to reflect that in naming a third pass rusher.

For now, Josaiah Stewart is the most likely candidate to land that third edge rusher role.

As always, thanks for reading.

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