ESPN NFL expert shares latest data that shows Rams still work in process

Feeling good about the job Los Angeles Rams GM Les Snead has done for the team this offseason? You should, as the Rams have been getting solid reviews from NFL experts throughout the early phase of the 2025 NFL Free Agency. But like the promising first chapter of a new book you bought based on the New York Times best-seller list, it's only the first chapter.

There is more work to do, and that is likely going to be a bit of dabbling in the 2025 NFL Free Agency market, a solid investment in the 2025 NFL Draft, but perhaps most of all, signing undrafted collegiate free agents after the draft concludes. With the latest roster moves, the Rams roster currently hold 61 players. That is 29 players shy of the 90-man roster that all 32 teams are aiming to fill for the 2025 training camp.

So there are many more players to be added before we have a true image of how well the front office filled the roster depth and positional needs.

Where does the Rams roster need work?

ESPN NFL analyst Mike Clay put a lot of work into a graphic table that assesses the unit grades of all 32 NFL teams. His categories include: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, Edge, LB, CB and S. While it's still early in the process, it's not a bad idea to review how he has the Rams graded in each of these categories.

Of course, it's impossible to determine how many moves are reflected in this table of unit grades. Any subsequent move to improve the group for the Rams are unlikely to be reflected. And his grades appear to be relative. That is, rather than adhere to grading units based on 2025 expectations, his system appears to compare one unit to another, and assesses grades based on how those groups compare. So how do the Rams units stack up? Let's go over the units that are most urgent to address:

Linebacker - 1

The LA Rams are returning undrafted linebackers Omar Speights and Elias Neal. plus former Cleveland Browns veteran ILB Tony Fields. The team has already lost Christian Rozeboom to the Carolina Panthers, Jake Hummel to the Baltimore Ravens. The only ILB remaining unsigned is Troy Reeder, but the fans are rather uniform in hoping that he does not return. The Rams need to bolster the position, but salary cap funds are running out and the team has not targeted inside linebackers early or often in past drafts.

Cornerback - 4

The Rams roster is not hurting for options at cornerback. As of right now, the team boasts nine returning cornerbacks on the roster, with the loss of only Ahkello Witherspoon to an expired contract. But the thing is, Witherspoon was one of the team's best corners in 2024. The teams has plenty of options. Unfortunately, good options are limited.

The team has not addressed the cornerback position. Even if the team re-signs Witherspoon to a team friendly deal for 2025, I'm not convinced that will upgrade the group to a point of generating confidence in post-season competition. The Rams are running out of veteran options. Will the team truly plan to upgrade their secondary with rookies in the secondary.

That's a huge roll of the dice. Let's see if it pans out.

Tight end - 5

The Rams tight end situation is a need, but a complex one at that. The Rams welcome back starting TE Tyler Higbee, veteran TEs Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen. The team is saying farewell to blocking TE Hunter Long. While the loss of Long is not a huge impact, the group as a whole never seemed to get much production, until Higbee returned and scored two touchdowns in three games.

I whole-heartedly expect the Rams to emerge from the 2025 NFL Draft with either Penn State TE Tyler Warren, Michigan TE Colston Loveland, or Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. While it will depend heavily on who remains on the draft board when the Rams make their Round 1 pick with the 26th overall pick, the team has aggressively pursued a top-tier tight end in the past two drafts. This year, they get their player.

For the rest of Clay's grades, it seems to be subjective rather than objective assessments. I struggle to believe that the Rams edge rushers (with 17 quarterback sacks in two postseason games), as no better than the group from the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts.

Ultimately, Rams GM Les Snead still has plenty of work ahead. While we can debate the details, I think ESPN NFL analyst Mike Clay confirms what Rams fans already know.

As always, thanks for reading.

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