The Sneads and the Los Angeles Rams player personnel are already working hard on it. Last season, the Los Angeles braintrust was tasked with fixing a leaky run defense and responded by cutting out some deadwood, replacing it with two stoppers, Poona Ford inside and Nate Landman at middle linebacker. The defensive system was also changed to involve the safety unit more in the nickel and dime packages.
Fast forward to 2026 and once again the defense needs work. Now it’s the pass defense that’s missing some pieces to be successful. To their credit, Snead and Co. have already begun rebuilding the secondary, trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie and re-signing veteran safeties Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl.
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Will these moves change the Rams’ free agency and draft strategies?
Here’s the current list and some thoughts on the path they might take. Projected entries in bold.
Strategist
Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett
Is it time for Bennett to step in at QB#2 or will the Rams look for a veteran with regular season experience? If it’s the former, the Rams should be looking for a developmental player to solidify the post-Stafford succession plan.
Run back
Kyren WilliamsBlake Corum, Jarquez Hunter, Jordan Waters
Look at late or undrafted prospects. Camp and preseason game bodies for the most part, but no disposables. The Rams had a lot of luck on the RB injury front last year, so the candidate should have enough juice to provide a modicum of insurance.
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Wide receiver
Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan WhittingtonKonata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, Tyler Scott, Harold Presley, Mario Williams, Tru Edwards
With the uncertainty of 2027 fast approaching, finding another point guard on a 3-4-5 year contract should be considered a must. After Nacua and Adams, there just isn’t much production and only 16 NFL starts among the other seven candidates.
Tight end
Terrance Ferguson. Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, Mark Redman
Higbee’s arrival this week completes the unit for 2026. Likely moves will be limited to a few retread free agents and undrafted or late-round prospects.
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Offensive line
Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendonDavid Quessenberry, Beaux Limmer, Justin Deich, Wyatt Bowles, Dylan McMahon, AJ Arcuri
With the starting five returning intact, the priority should be finding a swing player, either a plug-and-play veteran or an advanced rookie. The Rams “made do” with offensive reinforcements during the McVay years and I would say that put them at a disadvantage. Good things cost money and a solid replacement on the offensive line is money well spent.
Special teams
Ethan Evans, Harrison Meevis
The only need is a long snapper. Jake McQuaide returned to the Rams fold in mid-2026, he’s on the older side at 38, but I’m surprised Los Angeles hasn’t brought him back already.
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Defensive line
Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden FiskeTyler Davis, Ty Hamilton, Bill Norton
Very solid rotation with the Top 4. A big penetration hitter would be a healthy addition, allowing the Rams starters more 1-on-1 matchups where their relatively smaller size and movement skills can be maximized.
Edge
Jared Verse, Byron YoungJosaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson
Solid overall group that needs an additional pass rush specialist to be dominant. Using early draft capital or an expensive free agent might be a luxury here, but a deep rotation of guys who can really get after the quarterback appears to be the near future of the NFL defense.
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Off-ball linebacker
Nate Landman, Omar SpeightsShaun Dolac, Elias Neal
All return from last year and while acceptable around the line of scrimmage, they were often exploited in pass coverage. Landman received an extension mid-season, likely closing the door on adding another backer “MIKE.” More athleticism would be a welcome addition.
Security
Quentin Lake, Kamren CurlKamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Josh Wallace, Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel
I wouldn’t expect any major changes here. By extending Lake and reinstating Curl, the Rams decided to go back to full strength with last year’s group. So this remains a unit with mid-level talent and athleticism. While solid pros, there are no real differentiators.
Cornerback
Trent McDuffie, Darious Williams, Emmanuel Forbes, Cam Lampkin, Alex Johnson
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Certainly, McDuffie is an improvement over the Rams who recently held the position. He’ll solidly fill a corner role through this Super Bowl window and, if extended, he’ll be a building block to expand it. Behind him, the space is pretty thin and at the very least, another starting free agent or draft prospect is needed.
Have the Rams’ recent roster moves improved weak areas?
Yes and no. The Rams have been serious contenders over the past two seasons and while the roster could use a little strengthening here and there, last year’s glaring weaknesses were in the secondary and on special teams.
In the secondary, Trent McDuffie is a solid starter at corner, but one piece doesn’t allow for a rebuild. As far as safety is concerned, it seems that the work plan is “good enough”. There’s no logic in re-signing two starters, Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl, to multi-million dollar deals and then looking for possible upgrades. Unless you put Kamren Kinchens in the hot seat. Those of us who call for true free security are only whispering in the abyss of deep space.
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Let’s hope Harrison Meevis is safe from the sophomore slump. If so, this is another step in building special teams. Coming back with Xavier Smith to return punts is a static move at best. None of the other recent signings shake things up to fill all the gaps in the coverage and return units.
Free agency won’t officially open for another week and the NFL Draft is over a month away (April 23-25), so it’s too early to give grades. But there is room for optimism, the Rams have already taken a major step to strengthen the secondary and are rumored to be lining up other big contracts for comprehensive upgrades. Les Snead seems to have his green visor this offseason.
