LOS ANGELES — If the Rams’ defense was going to move forward in the post-Aaron Donald era – and really, what choice did it have? – the success of the group would hinge on a defensive front built through two draft classes. Third-round picks on tackle Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Byron Young in 2023, a first- and second-round selection on the Florida State duo of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske the year after.
The Rams believed in each player’s talent and, more importantly, his work ethic. And that belief paid off in a major way, with the quartet combining for 28½ sacks in 2024 and leading a defense that at times carried the team as the offense struggled.
Heading into 2025, the Rams hope the growth of the pass rush can continue to be a catalyst for the defense and team as a whole.
“Last year there was a lot … between our rush group, tiptoeing around, trying to feel our way through of just who is going to be this, who’s going to be that, who’s going to be the guy?” Fiske said Tuesday as the Rams reported for training camp at Loyola Marymount University. “And I think we’ve kind of molded into our identity and who we’re going to be. Coming off last year, we finished pretty strong. I think just growing on top of that is going to be huge going forward.”
The Rams return most of the core of their defensive front, with a couple of tweaks. Outside backer Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Bobby Brown departed via free agency, replaced by rookie Josaiah Stewart and free-agent acquisition Poona Ford.
Ford has been heralded as a run stuffer, something the Rams demonstrated a clear need for in 2024 as the likes of Saquon Barkley and James Conner gashed them. But the coaches and players feel like Ford has been underutilized as a pass rusher during his career and can provide a boost alongside Turner and Fiske inside.
“He’s twitchy and he gets moving,” Fiske said of the former Charger defensive tackle. “I think he could be a key piece and maybe even the missing piece that we needed.”
The defense struggled at first to replace the production of linebacker Ernest Jones IV after he was traded before Week 1, ranking 28th in the NFL in estimated points added per play (EPA) on rushing plays during the first seven weeks of the season.
That area of the defense improved for the final 11 games after Troy Reeder went on injured reserve and rookie Omar Speights stepped in, with the Rams improving to 13th in rush EPA. But that didn’t stop Barkley from setting a Philadelphia Eagles franchise record with 255 rushing yards in November.
Similarly, the Rams’ secondary was hammered by injuries last training camp. Corner Darious Williams was never fully right after pulling his hamstring at camp, and the team didn’t bring Ahkello Witherspoon back until camp was over and it took him a month before he was ready for game action.
The Rams stayed quiet in the secondary this offseason, trusting that better health and some extra experience for Witherspoon and midseason waiver-wire acquisition Emmanuel Forbes would help smooth things over. They did make some moves at linebacker, however, bringing in run specialist Nate Landman and drafting the energetic Chris Paul Jr. to complement Speights.
But the lack of investments across the rest of the defense make clear that the Rams are still all-in on building around their pass rush after the successes of 2024.
“When Verse is at his best, I’m at my best. When I’m at my best, Kobie is at his best. When Fiske is at his best, Verse is at his best,” Young said. “So, it goes hand in hand and we try to look out for each other. We are brothers.”