Rams find Poona Ford's backup with chance to land another diamond in Round 5

The Los Angeles Rams satisfied their need for a run-stuffing savant at nose tackle by signing free agent nose tackle Poona Ford. While the Rams roster boasts plenty of other defensive linemen who can take on a rotational role as Ford's backup. But this is a draft that is deep with tight ends, running backs, and defensive linemen. True to form, those are the positions that Rams GM Les Snead has addressed early in this draft.

While not a deal-breaker need, the Rams defensive line emerged from free agency a bit light with veterans. The team said farewell to NT Bobby Brown III and DL Neville Gallimore. The addition of Poona Ford only restored one veteran to the defensive front.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Pick Summary

The Rams made their third trade of the draft, jumping up from Round 6 (195th overall), and throwing in a sweetener of a Round 4 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to get the Round 5 (148th overall) pick from the Chicago Bears. So, who did the Rams want in Round 5?

• DAY 2 PICKS
• Round 2 (46th overall) - TE Terrance Ferguson
• Round 3 (90th overall) - OLB Josaiah Stewart
• DAY 3 PICKS
• Round 4 (117th overall) - RB Jaquez Hunter
• Round 5 (148th overall) - DT Ty Hamilton
• Round 6 (201st overall) 
• Round 6 (202nd overall) (via Bears (originally from Texans)
• Round 7 (242nd overall)

The Rams pounced on DT Ty Hamilton, a solid and productive defensive lineman who checks all the boxes. Originally projected as early as a Day 2 rookie, Hamilton did make our list of defensive tackles who could be selected by the Rams to shore up the ability to defend the run. But even better than a run stuffer, Hamilton has a sneaky good pass rush too. In many ways, 6-foot-3 and 299-pound Hamilton fills a presence that resembles Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske.

Emerging from Ohio State, there is no question that Hamilton is ripe for NFL competition. He truly came into his own in his final two seasons of college football, putting up 89 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 5.5 quarterback sacks, and a forced fumble with a fumble recovery.

Hamilton's biggest detractor is his size (where have we seen that before?), which I don't see having any impact on his rookie season. Hamilton is an instant rotational piece to the Rams' rapid defensive line rotation. Best of all, he is the 13th-ranked defensive tackle from a deep defensive lineman rookie class.

If you are a fan who insists that the Rams get stingier at defending the run, you will love what Ty Hamilton brings to the table. He is someone we will be discussing frequently in the days ahead.

As always, thanks for reading.

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