The Los Angeles Rams’ defense really hit its stride late last season when it allowed fewer than 10 points in four of the last six games. The pass rush was humming, the defensive backs were making plays on the ball and even the linebackers were getting more comfortable in the middle of the defense.
Heading into 2025, expectations are even higher. There are still some question marks at linebacker and cornerback, but the rest of the unit looks like it could be one of the best in the league.
OTAs and minicamp didn’t involve any pads or tackling, but Sean McVay still saw a handful of players on defense stand out in practice. J.B. Long asked McVay which defenders were particularly impressive this spring and he named nine players: Byron Young, Jared Verse, Brennan Jackson, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, Nate Landman, Emmanuel Forbes and Kamren Curl.
Jackson, Landman and Forbes received particularly high marks from McVay as players who are ascending, and it seems he has a promising outlook for all three.
“On the defensive side of the ball, I think BY and Verse did an excellent job,” he said. “Brennan Jackson’s a guy that really stood out that maybe – we’re excited about seeing where he can go with his game. It was great to be able to get Braden Fiske back out there. Poona Ford, the signing looks really fruitful. Kobie’s continued to be a great leader. When you look at the back end, a couple guys that really stood out – and really the back seven – Nate Landman is a guy that we’re really excited about. His leadership, his presence. I think he’s going to do a really nice job for us. That was a good signing for us, being able to get him from the Falcons. There’s some familiarity, having Jimmy Lake here. Emmanuel Forbes’ name keeps coming up. He’s a guy that’s really – Aubrey Pleasant does such a great job with those guys – but I’ve been really pleased with him. And Kam Curl’s ownership going into the second year with us.”
Starting with Jackson, he’ll be competing for snaps behind Young and Verse. Josaiah Stewart and Nick Hampton will be doing the same, but the second-year pro Jackson has a real chance to make an impact in the Michael Hoecht role this season.
Landman was one of the Rams’ early free-agent additions, signing him after his contract with the Falcons expired. Landman played last season under former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and defensive assistant Jimmy Lake, who is now back in Los Angeles. That familiarity could put Landman on the inside track to a starting job.
As McVay said, Forbes’ name keeps coming up and for good reason. The former first-round pick is trying to establish himself as a key contributor at cornerback and with the position being fairly wide open, that’s a realistic possibility.
It may not be a star-studded defense but the Rams’ group is full of young, hungry players who are itching for an opportunity.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams offseason: Sean McVay names defenders who stood out in OTAs