How urgent are Rams’ offseason needs?

Can Rams make the jump from playoff fringes to the Super Bowl in 2025?

In order for the Los Angeles Rams to make the jump from a fringe playoff team over the last couple of seasons to the Super Bowl in 2025, they’ll have to make a few key roster improvements this offseason.

Let’s take a look at each position and assess how urgent each need is ahead of free agency and the NFL Draft:

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford has expressed his intention to return to football in 2025, but the Rams have not made it clear whether they want him as the quarterback next season. An adjustment to the veteran’s contract will likely be required in order for the team and Stafford to renew their marriage for at least another year.

But even if Stafford is back for 2025, Los Angeles must take steps to future proof the position and prepare for life after the soon to be 37 year old’s playing days are done. That could mean bringing in a reclamation project in free agency or a trade that has a viable future as a NFL starter or investing through the draft. Taking a quarterback early comes with opportunity cost, and that means possibly not being able to improve areas of the roster that can readily contribute to a Super Bowl run next year.

What’s matters most is finding the right long-term fit at the most important position in football.

Level of urgency: Low for 2025 (but warming up)

Running back

Kyren Williams will almost certainly be LA’s workhorse back again in 2025. Maybe Blake Corum will carve out a more regular role next season, but even if he’s on the field his skillset is very similar to that of Williams.

What the Rams need is an explosive back that can rip off big plays both through the air and on the ground. This free agency crop likely doesn’t carry the answer. There will be options in the draft, and likely late because LA is looking for more of a complementary-type player instead of an every-down back.

Level of urgency: Low (some adjusting needed)

Receiver

Cooper Kupp’s return is not likely at this point, at least barring a significant adjustment to his contract. Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Johnson are all slated to hit free agency this spring.

That effectively leaves the Rams with Puka Nacua, Jordan Whittington, and Xavier Smith at receiver. Smith is the team’s punt returner and has played sparingly on offense. Whittington played well with both Kupp and Nacua absent early in the season though he didn’t contribute much once they returned.

Based on sheer numbers there will need to be additions at pass catcher. A reunion with Robinson makes sense, and the veteran has undeniable chemistry with Stafford.

The unfortunate truth is that receivers are expensive to acquire. They get paid big bucks in free agency and the best rookies often are taken in the first three rounds of the draft. While Nacua was an incredible draft steal, players like him don’t grow on trees. Los Angeles not having their second round pick complicates matters some.

Level of urgency: HIGH

Tight end

The lackluster performances by Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Hunter Long in Tyler Higbee’s absence shows that LA didn’t have a good plan at the tight end position heading into 2024. Higbee was a key part of the offense after his return late into the year, and he likely enters next season as the unquestioned starter.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t work to do here. Long is a free agent. Allen has had promising spurts and is heading into year three. It may be a question whether Parkinson is back though it’s clear he’s not an impact player.

With the Rams flirting with Dalton Kincaid and Brock Bowers during recent drafts, could this be the year they make an early pick and attempt to solve the position long-term?

Level of urgency: Low

Tackle

The Rams’ first offseason priority should be re-signing left tackle Alaric Jackson. Does his breakout in a contract year push him out of LA’s price range?

The team also has questions at right tackle. Rob Havenstein is getting long in the tooth and is oft-injured. Even if they bank on him for this season, it wouldn’t hurt to find a good understudy and possible replacement for 2026 or beyond.

Level of urgency: Mild

Interior offensive line

LA is set at guard with Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson. They’ll likely need to trim fat with Jonah Jackson or swallow the tough salary cap pill and keep him around.

Beaux Limmer was good for a rookie. It remains to be seen whether he can be good relative to his peers as NFL starting centers. Would LA bring in either camp competition or a viable backup with starting potential as insurance?

Level of urgency: Low

Interior defensive line

Bobby Brown and Neville Gallimore are set to hit free agency. Both were key contributors and important in run defense. Brown is still just 24 years old despite concluding his four-year rookie deal.

Kobie Turner is a well-rounded player on the interior, but the same can’t be said about his counterpart in Braden Fiske. During his rookie season, Fiske was much more effective at rushing the passer than stout against the run. That means that he either needs to improve this aspect of his game—and there’s no reason to think he cannot—or LA needs to either backfill or re-sign Brown and/or Gallimore.

After watching Saquon Barkley run wild in two matchups, it’s clear LA needs to retool its run defense and that could start along the interior.

Level of urgency: Mild (but shouldn’t be expensive?)

EDGE rusher

The Rams have one of the best EDGE defenders in the NFL in Jared Verse. Byron Young is a capable speed rusher on the opposite side, though his production is not always consistent.

Michael Hoecht, who has played a ton of football for this team over the last two years, is set to hit free agency. He’s an important player in terms of locker room leadership and experience. Losing him would be unfortunate but not insurmountable.

The bottom line is you can never have too many good pass rushers, and if the Rams have a chance to add a premium player at this position they should consider it.

Level of urgency: Low

Linebacker

Christian Rozeboom is set to be a free agent after spending 2024 as LA’s primary linebacker. Jake Hummel—who primarily played on special teams—is a restricted free agent.

Omar Speights had promising moments as a rookie UDFA, but is it asking too much of him to be an every-down starter next year?

We haven’t seen the Rams invest premium draft capital at off-ball linebacker. They signed Bobby Wagner to a sizeable free agent contract a couple of years ago, and then traded Ernest Jones amidst a contract dispute.

I can’t discern the Rams’ plan at linebacker, but knowing them any changes will likely be made on the cheap.

Level of urgency: Low

Corner

Ahkello Witherspoon will be a free agent. The Rams could save $3M by cutting Darious Williams. Cobie Durant should be in consideration for a starting role, but even his contract is up after 2025. Tre Tomlinson and Derion Kendrick spent 2024 on injured reserve but neither are locks to make the roster.

The Rams need more numbers at corner. Acquisitions at this position do not come cheap whether in free agency or the draft.

There are a lot more questions than answers at corner right now.

Level of urgency: EMERGENCY

Safety

After adding Kamren Curl in free agency, drafting Kamren Kinchens in the third round, and finding a steal undrafted free agent in Jaylen McCollough the Rams should be set at safety. They might make a low-risk swing to improve the position, but that’s really all it needs in its current state.

Level of urgency: Low