The Los Angeles Rams’ defense turned a major corner in the back half of the 2024 NFL season. Rookie standouts like Jared Verse, Omar Speights, and Kamren Kinchens injected youth and energy into a unit that, for much of the year, lacked consistency. But as the Rams aim to return to playoff contention in 2025, their Achilles’ heel remains clear: the middle of the field.
Despite a promising pass rush and a capable safety rotation, questions loom at two key levels — inside linebacker and cornerback — where the Rams still lack proven, top-tier talent. Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano recently underscored this concern, ranking each NFL team’s “defensive triplets” (top pass rusher, inside linebacker, and defensive back). The Rams’ trio of Verse, Speights, and Kinchens ranked just 23rd in the league — lowest in the NFC West.
Los Angeles Rams Needs Consistent Performance and Talent To Win Super Bowl
“Verse established himself as one of the top edge rushers in the NFL after running away with the Defensive Rookie of the Year award,” Manzano wrote. “The Rams are loaded with pass rushers, but they have a thin group at inside linebacker and cornerback. Perhaps the team’s solid safety rotation can pick up the slack in the back end.”
That imbalance on defense could limit the Rams in 2025. While the front is talented and disruptive — Verse, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner form a formidable core — the supporting cast behind them isn’t nearly as polished. The inside linebacker group includes second-year player Omar Speights, 2025 fifth-round pick Chris Paul Jr., and journeymen like Troy Reeder and Nate Landman. It’s a mix of inexperience and inconsistency.
Still, there’s reason for optimism. Speights, in particular, seems poised for a breakout. His elevation to the starting lineup late in 2024 coincided with a noticeable jump in the Rams’ overall defensive performance — especially in coverage. Kinchens looked far more confident with Speights in the middle, suggesting the rookie’s range and awareness may already be elevating the unit around him.
Speights could follow in the footsteps of past surprise stars. As Manzano himself pointed out, few expected Zack Baun to become a first-team All-Pro in 2024. A similar leap from Speights would instantly solidify one of the Rams’ softest spots.
Meanwhile, Verse continues to evolve not just as a force off the edge, but as a thoughtful student of the game. He recently spoke about the nuances of building chemistry across the defensive line.
“You’ve got to learn your ops [opportunities] before anything,” Verse said. “You’ve got to know when you can take a high rush, or when it’s your job to eat a double team. But you also have to know who you’re rushing with… Rushing with Kobie [Turner] is different than rushing with Fiske. Rushing with ‘BY’ [Byron Young] is different than rushing with me. We all have to understand each other’s styles.”
That attention to detail, combined with his relentless motor, is a big reason why Verse is viewed as a cornerstone of the Rams’ defensive future.
Even so, scheme and chemistry can only cover so much ground. The lack of established production at linebacker and cornerback presents a real vulnerability — especially in a division loaded with offensive firepower. The Rams are betting on internal growth, particularly from Speights and Kinchens, to stabilize those spots. If they do, the defense could take a real step forward. If not, it may be what ultimately holds this team back.
The Rams’ defense is young, fast, and filled with promise — but unless that promise turns into production where it matters most, it will remain a work in progress rather than a championship-caliber unit.
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