These 7 Rams players are ready to shake up the depth chart at OTAs

Nate Landman, Rams inside linebacker - #53

When the Rams signed veteran inside linebacker Nate Landman, the initial reaction was that he was in line to either back up or team up with 2024 rookie ILB Omar Speights. But having had plenty of time to mull it over, and witnessing how the Rams seemed to address the other undrafted rookie starter, center Beaux Limmer, I see the addition in a new light.

Landman was a three-year veteran of the Atlanta Falcons defense. Undrafted in 2022, Landman was robust enough to make the Falcons' practice squad in his rookie season, and even showed up in seven games. He started 23 of 36 games for the Falcons, putting up 195 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles, 2.0 quarterback sacks, five quarterback hits, six deflected passes, and one interception.

Omar Speights was thrust into a starting role because the team was simply out of options. But that does not mean that the guy is not worthy of competing for a starting role. It does mean that he will face stiff competition to retain that role.

It was obvious throughout the early part of the 2024 NFL season that DC Chris Shula was reluctant to turn over the keys to his defense to an undrafted rookie ILB play caller. And I'm simply not convinced that he was satisfied with the way Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley ran roughshod over his defense in the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

Landman is a veteran NFL run-stuffing inside linebacker who stands 6-foot-3 and tips the scales at 235 pounds. It makes a great deal of sense to project Landman as the odds-on favorite to start with the addition of smaller pass-coverage type rookie inside linebackers who can line up next to him.

Inside linebacker will be the focus of intense competition this year.

Terrance Ferguson, Rams tight end - #18

We've talked quite a bit about the Rams' interest in drafting a tight end, and about how pleased both GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay seemed to be when Oregon rookie TE prospect Terrance Ferguson fell to the team in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's safe to presume that if Michigan Colston Loveland, and Penn State TE Tyler Warren had fallen to the Rams at 26, we might be having a different conversation.

The Rams have resisted the call to deploy a significant portion of the offense in two tight-end sets since the 2020 season, the last year that the team boasted both Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee on the roster. Since that time, the Rams have struggled to find the right blend of blocking and pass-catching in one tight end. The offensive philosophy loves to overwhelm defensive backs with five eligibles. But the quality of tight ends recently has allowed defenses to cover Rams tight ends with linebackers.

It will take time to put up enough data, but Terrance Ferguson was brought to the Rams specifically to assume that 'other eligible' role at tight end that the team has sought for five years. While I cannot say that he is blocker-tested just yet, nor will he prove that until the pads go on and live scrimmages are scheduled with other teams, he will get plenty of work in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills before that happens.

Ferguson was a steady-freddy contributor in the Oregon Ducks offense. His ability to catch the ball in traffic allowed him to become QB Bo Nix's favored target in the red zone.

The Rams are long overdue to try something new on offense. And with so many irons in the fire in the 2025 training camp, the team is almost certain to roll out more than a few surprises this season. If the team had hesitated to deploy 12-personnel sub-packages with any sustained frequency in the offensive game plan in the past due to the lack of high-quality pass catchers at the position, that excuse is no longer valid.

Terrance Ferguson can haul in passes. And that will ensure veteran QB Matthew Stafford will love throwing his way in OTAs, training camp, and the 2025 NFL season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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