Rams linebackers exciting, but still have a lot to prove

PFF ranked the Rams linebackers in the bottom-10 heading into 2025

The Los Angeles Rams have typically not prioritized the linebacker position when it comes to their defense. While they signed Bobby Wagner in free agency in 2022, that was always more about the former Seattle Seahawks linebacker wanting to play in Los Angeles than it was the Rams pursuing him. Prior to signing Wagner, the most the Rams had invested in the linebacker position was drafting Ernest Jones. However, Jones wasn’t even drafted inside the top-100 and was questionably traded prior to last season.

It’s fair to say that the Rams have done just enough to get by at the position. They’ve done well to get the most out of undrafted players such as Omar Speights, Troy Reeder, Christian Rozeboom, and Cory Littleton. At the same time, those players come with their limitations and specific skillsets.

Heading into 2025, there is some reason for optimism and excitement when it comes to the Rams linebackers. Omar Speights helped turn around the Rams defense when he took over in Week 8 of last season. From Week 8-17, Speights ranked 13th against the run according to PFF and his missed tackle rate of 4.8 percent was the fourth-best in the NFL.

In free agency, the Rams didn’t sign one of the premier linebackers, but they brought in Nate Landman from the Atlanta Falcons. Landman is more of a specialist against the run, but brings experience and is someone that the Rams like. Head coach Sean McVay recently praised Landman,

“When you look at the back end, a couple of guys who really stood out in the back seven— Nate Landman’s a guy we’re really excited about. His leadership, his presence, I think he’s going to do a really nice job.”

During the draft, the Rams got an alleged steal in Chris Paul Jr. in the fifth round. They also signed one of the best linebackers after the draft as an undrafted free agent in Shaun Dolac.

For the first time in what seems like a while, this is a group that has some upside. Still, they will have to prove themselves next season. Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 linebacker groups and the Rams came in at number 26. Said Dalton Wasserman,

“Omar Speights was one of the better undrafted signings last season. He played more than 500 snaps in his rookie season, earning a 69.4 PFF overall grade while missing only four tackles. Former Falcon Nate Landman joins Speights after recording a terrific 85.3 PFF run-defense grade over the past two seasons in Atlanta…Behind those two are veteran Troy Reeder and a couple of interesting rookies in Chris Paul Jr. and Shaun Dolac. Paul and Dolac were two of the six highest-graded linebackers in college football last season.”

Again, there are a lot of reasons for excitement when it comes to this group, but it’s also a group that comes with a lot of questions. Speights will need to show that he can continue what he showed last season in year two while Landman takes on more of a full-time role. Paul was an exciting prospect, but he does have some size concerns, specifically with his arm length. That’s a reason why he fell in the draft. Dolac may have been one of the better undrafted free agents available. However, he still went undrafted. Paul and Dolac aren’t going to immediately turn around the Rams linebacker room. That will primarily be up to Speights and Landman.

The Rams defense does a lot to scheme around their linebackers. They also added Poona Ford on the defensive line which should help open up lanes for the linebackers at the second level to attack in the run game. That’s an element that was lacking on the defensive line last season. This is a group that may start the season as a bottom-10 unit. When all is said and done, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them jump into the top-20.