After a 16-sack performance in 2 games, how can the Rams D upgrade in 2025?

The Rams defense can return better than ever

Can the team aim for a better defense in 2025 via personnel? I think so, yes. We know that the team understaffed the inside linebacker position last season. With the loss of three veterans, that role must be addressed. So too should the team look at the defensive line in terms of blocker-gobbler run stuffing behemoths in the draft or free agency market.

Ultimately, this very young defense will start to take shape simply from reforming for 2025. But where can the team benefit by infusing new blood? Let's step back a moment. Where did the team struggle to find true starters in 2024?

Per Lineups.com, the Rams struggled mightily at continuity at inside linebacker, nose tackle, and to a less extent, at outside linebacker. Of course, part of the challenge is to assess how much of the defensive snaps were dispatched from natural rotation, and how much was due to a lack of quality depth that hindered younger players stepping up?

The defense was not necessarily bad in 2024. But it was unformed early in the season. At the end of the year, the Rams defense checked in with the following rankings compared to other NFL defenses:

• 26th in total yards allowed
• 17th in total points allowed
• 20th in passing yards allowed
• 27th in passing TDs allowed
• 14th in interceptions
• 21st in quarterback sacks
• 22nd in rushing yards allowed
• 13th in rushing TDs allowed
• 15th in takeaways

While those are not eyepopping rankings, keep in mind that the team had dug a rather deep hole for itself early in the season, and the remainder of the year slowly but steadily improved. That is to say that this defense is bound to be a Top-Three defense next year. But it does suggest that the defense that finished the season and carried over into the NFL Playoffs is more likely the truer version of defense fans are likely to see in 2025.

Assuming that the pass rush returns as ferocious as ever, and the secondary is better aligned to the needs of next season in Week 1, where can the team improve?

Now that is a very good question. Where can the team get stingier on defense?