Latest news with #LosAngelesRams
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
3 Rams make PFN's top-100 player list for 2025
The Los Angeles Rams have a lot of star power on the roster heading into 2025. From veterans like Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams to young studs like Jared Verse and Puka Nacua. Where those players stand in the pantheon of the league is up for debate, but Pro Football Network's Brandon Austin ranked his top 100 players for 2025 based on their site's model. He ranked three Rams players in the top 100: defensive tackle Kobie Turner, Nacua and Verse. Here's how they all ranked out: No. 50: Kobie Turner Kobie Turner has solidified himself as a cornerstone of the Los Angeles Rams' defensive line in the post-Aaron Donald era. Playing in all 17 regular-season games, Turner recorded 62 tackles, including 35 solo, 8.0 sacks, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Turner has looked impressive in his first two seasons with the Rams. Surrounded by other promising young talents like Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, and Byron Young, Turner will be part of a formidable defensive front for years to come. No. 43: Puka Nacua Puka Nacua turned heads with a record-setting rookie season, and the expectations were high heading into Year 2. The former fifth-round pick missed time early in the season due to injury but still managed to catch 79 passes for 990 yards and three touchdowns. Nacua grabbed the top spot in our WR+ rankings last year, thanks to some strong efficiency numbers, including 3.57 yards per route run (first among WRs) and 6.6 yards after catch per reception (15th). Cooper Kupp is gone, and Davante Adams is in, which should take some pressure off Nacua. It should improve his efficiency, as Adams' presence should open up the field. Nacua's connection with Matthew Stafford is clear, and the stage is set for another big year. No. 9: Jared Verse As Verse heads into his sophomore campaign, expectations are understandably sky-high. He is poised to make an even greater impact after a full offseason to work on his technique. With Verse's rare speed, power, and instincts, his sack total could climb in a significant way. The absence of Adams, Stafford, and running back Kyren Williams is somewhat surprising, as these rankings seemed to favor younger players over established starters in some areas. For the Rams as a team, Stafford, Adams and Williams might be just as important as the names listed above. Where they sit among the rest of the league matters less than how they affect the team itself.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Arizona Cardinals opponent preview: L.A. Rams
The Arizona Cardinals face 14 different opponents in their 17 games this season in 2025. They will close the season facing the Los Angeles Rams twice in their final five games, the first in Week 14 at State Farm Stadium and then again in Week 18 to finish the regular season at SoFi Stadium. Continuing the 14 podcast episodes that serve as opponent previews, the 11th episode is ready for you to hear, focusing on the Rams. Rams Wire managing editor Cam DaSilva joined me on the podcast, as he has for multiple years, to talk about the Rams and preview the 2025 season. We spoke about the following: Their 2024 season Getting the contract done with QB Matthew Stafford Moves in free agency The draft class Expectations for the Rams in 2025 Enjoy the show!This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 2025 Arizona Cardinals opponent preview: L.A. Rams
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Matthew Stafford's return named most impactful move in 2025 offseason
The Los Angeles Rams could have had a completely different 2025 outlook if Matthew Stafford decided not to return to the team. While there were rumors that the quarterback would want to leave without a pay raise, Stafford ultimately signed a new deal with the team to remain in L.A. The decision had a ripple effect on the Rams and the rest of the league, as teams who were interested in Stafford had to look elsewhere while the Rams could focus the rest of the offseason on finding talent to add around him. Therefore, it shouldn't be a surprise that CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan named Stafford's return as the most impactful move of the 2025 NFL offseason. With Stafford, L.A. is in the Super Bowl conversation thanks to the continued presence of Sean McVay, along with an emerging defense. Without him, the Rams likely would've been forced to look at other options like Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Rodgers, or some draft prospect. Regardless of who would've been under center, Los Angeles would've been categorically worse and nowhere close to the Super Bowl ceiling it currently possesses. Stafford is the tide that raises all boats in L.A. Why do you think the Rams immediately turned around and won a Super Bowl the year he joined the team? In any event, the Rams have their short-term plan at quarterback locked in for at least 2025, and they'll continue to push all the chips into the middle of the table to try and bring home another Lombardi Trophy before Stafford's time in the NFL is up.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scout saw ‘no decline' in Stafford's abilities last season
The Los Angeles Rams are being praised for turning down trade offers and adjusting Matthew Stafford's contract to keep him on the team in 2025. Athlon Sports writer Craig Ellenport says that the Rams are in a good position to reach the Super Bowl this season and dug up some intel on Stafford's 2024 season from a rival scout who thinks that the quarterback is as good as ever: 'Honestly, not seeing decline from Matthew Stafford,' one rival scout told Athlon Sports. 'He can still sling the rock. Yes, Sean McVay and Les Snead need to start planning ahead. But extending his deal was the right move. It's a have and have-not league at quarterback, and they have one.' The 37-year-old entering his 17th NFL season had a 64.7 QBR in 2024, his best mark since 2019 when he was still on the Detroit Lions. Only two years ago in 2023, Stafford's eigthth-place finish in the MVP race was the first time he got serious consideration for the award and he made just his second career Pro Bowl. Now Stafford enters the 2025 season with a new weapon at wide receiver in Davante Adams and potentially one of his best career offensive lines, at least up the middle with Kevin Dotson, Steve Avila, and Coleman Shelton. In addition to having Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Tyler Higbee, Stafford could be entering a career statistical season if all goes right with Sean McVay's play calling this year, as was also echoed in the scouting report: 'There's a lot of cool plays McVay can dial up with Davante Adams in the huddle to go with Puka Nacua,' the scout said. 'There aren't a lot of dudes who can compete for the football the way they can and freeze DBs with their footwork.' With a second Super Bowl win, Stafford may decide that he's done it all and hang it up after the season. In which case, he'd be going out with potentially just as many tools as he's ever had, something we rarely see when football players retire. More from 2018 NFL Draft top 50 big board Random Ramsdom 1/11: the future is here Evaluating the Los Angeles Rams trade for WR Sammy Watkins: Was it worth it? 2018 NFL Mock Draft has Los Angeles Rams' needs in full view 2018 NFL Mock Draft keeps LA Rams pinned to cornerback in round 1 Random Ramsdom 1/10: QB Coaching change Report: Los Angeles Rams to play in Mexico in 2018 (UPDATED)
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Watch: Puka Nacua throws down 1-handed dunk in front of Karl-Anthony Towns at Rose Bowl
Puka Nacua is a football junkie, but he also loves basketball and the NBA. The Los Angeles Rams receiver even wants to buy an international basketball team and be a player-coach after he retires from the NFL. Nacua got a chance to show off his ability in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game two years ago and took full advantage by throwing down a couple of ferocious dunks on the big stage. The lights weren't quite as bright this week when Nacua and Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns hung out at the Rose Bowl for an event but Puka got up once again. He impressed KAT with a powerful one-handed dunk. 'Way more athletic,' Towns said. Nacua has hops, which we've seen on the football field when he's elevated to make some difficult catches. He posted a 33-inch vertical at his BYU pro day in 2023, and while that's not an eye-popping number, he can go up when he needs to.
