NFL analyst explains what could derail the Rams' 2025 season
NFL analyst explains what could derail the Rams' 2025 season
The Los Angeles Rams are not a perfect team entering the 2025 NFL season.
While Les Snead and Sean McVay made solid moves in the offseason and the draft to upgrade and augment positions of need, there are still holes on the roster that could make title contention difficult.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton went through what roster flaws could derail each team's season and noted that the Rams' biggest issue is its overall mediocre secondary that lacks a playmaker.
"Los Angeles needs help in the secondary," Moton wrote. "So, it makes sense that it has discussed a trade for seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who won a Super Bowl as an All-Pro with the club in 2021.
For now, the Rams have a couple of young cornerbacks who flashed last season in Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick and two placeholder starters, Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon.
They need a proven high-level playmaker at the position. Ramsey still fits the bill. Last year, he recorded 11 pass breakups and two interceptions while surrendering a passer rating of 83.2 in coverage.
If Los Angeles doesn't acquire Ramsey, Durant and Kendrick could be under a lot of pressure as full-time second-year starters. In 2024, Williams struggled in coverage, allowing a 101.7 passer rating. Witherspoon has durability concerns, missing at least four games in six out of eight seasons."
Ramsey seems to be the biggest target, especially after McVay hinted that the team isn't interested in the recently released Jaire Alexander. There are a few other potential names, but it's unclear if the Rams are even looking at adding more secondary players.
The fortunate element of the Rams' defense is its youth up front. Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young are strong defenders who can attack the opposing offensive line. While the secondary and linebackers are lacking, the hope for L.A. is that defensive coordinator Chris Shula can get the most out of this group so they don't need to spend more salary cap dollars before the season.
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