Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › How they built the 2025 Rams
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November 26, 2025 at 12:03 am #159674
znModeratorOriginally posted under a different title, but now somewhat revised.
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I am going to consider the non-draft picks in this post. One thing the Vermeil Rams from 97-99 had in common with the 2025 Rams is that both teams excelled in every area of player acquisition: FAs, UDFAs, high trades, bargain trades, “ronin” pick-ups (ie. other teams’ cuts & bounce-arounds who become something with the Rams), and (related to “ronin”) reclamation projects.
So it’s not just scoring on high draft picks (Verse) plus low draft picks (Lake and Nacua)…though as we know the Rams do that too. With a wild upswing in effectiveness that starts with the 2023 draft.
Stafford goes without saying so I am just going to list all the other non-draft picks who are either starters or who play key roles.
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Jackson–-UDFA signed in 2021. Who finds their solid franchise LOT in the UDFA pile?
Dotson–-bargain trade in 2023. Exchanging a 4th and a 5th for a 5th and a 6th.
Shelton–-FA signed in 2025, originally a Rams “ronin” pick-up in 2019 after being cut by the 9ers.
Adams–-FA in 2025.
Ford–-FA in 2025.
Landman–-“Ronin”/reclamation pick-up originally signed for veteran minimum in 2025, since extended.
Speights–-UDFA signed in 2024.
Witherspoon–-A “ronin” who drifted a bit. Originally a 3rd round pick by 9ers in 2017, picked up by Seattle, traded to Steelers in 2021, cut and picked up by Rams in 2023, on Rams practice squad in 2024, signed to 1 year deal in 2025
The McVay/Snead Rams don’t really draft CBs, they’re geared more to do well with acquired veterans (trades, “ronin,” FAs). That accounts for Troy Hill, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Darious Williams, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Ramsey, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Emmanuel Forbes…. The only failure here was Tre’Davious White. Though it’s too soon to make a judgment on McCreary.
Durant is good as we know, but he’s the only CB the Rams got in their own drafts who really worked out for them.
Curl–-FA signed in 2024 to a reasonable deal (taking advantage of collapsed FA market for safeties)
Forbes–-Reclamation project picked up during 2024 season after being cut by Washington, originally their 1st round pick in 2023.
Williams–-“Ronin” pick-up. Originally a UDFA with Ravens in 2018, first signed with the Rams from 2018-2021, went to the Jagz, re-signed by Rams in 2024.
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So (again, not counting Stafford, who was obviously a huge trade in 2021), discounting Witherspoon who is on IR and Wms who is in rotation, that’s 9 starters.
Of the total 11 players I list here, 1 is a bargain trade, 4 are high- or middle-market FAs (only Adams is big money for his position), 4 are “ronin” reclamation pick-ups, and 2 are UDFAs.
Adams, Ford, and Curl were obvious signings. The rest were all under the radar in one way or another.
The “young Rams draft picks” types are mostly at edge/DL, safety, WR, and RB. The huge finds in the draft include (1) hitting on 4 excellent DL/edge guys in the first 3 rounds, and (2) scoring big with low-picks (and UDFAs) at safety and WR.
November 28, 2025 at 10:55 am #159742znModeratorLandman–-“Ronin”/reclamation pick-up originally signed for veteran minimum in 2025, since extended.
From veteran minimum to Pro Bowler? Nate Landman is having the season of his life after signing a cheap deal with the Rams this past offseason, parlaying it into a $22.5 million extension this month. He’s tied with Joey Bosa and Aidan Hutchinson for the most forced fumbles in the league with four, more than any other non-pass rusher in football. Landman has changed the Rams’ defense in a big way.
November 28, 2025 at 5:13 pm #159746
wvParticipantFinding a solid LT as an UDFA was remarkable. Especially a Canadian Left Tackle.
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A.I. ram
As of November 28, 2025, two NFL teams have a starting left tackle who entered the league as an undrafted free agentLos Angeles Rams
Player: Alaric Jackson
Details: Jackson was an undrafted free agent signing for the Rams in 2021. He secured a contract extension in February 2025 and is the team’s starting left tackle.Washington Commanders
Player: Cornelius Lucas
Details: Lucas was originally signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent. He is currently the Commanders’ starting left tackle.November 28, 2025 at 7:34 pm #159748znModeratorWashington Commanders
Player: Cornelius Lucas
Details: Lucas was originally signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent. He is currently the Commanders’ starting left tackle.The Washington LOT is Laremy Tunsil, originally a high first round pick by Miami in 2016 who then signed with Houston. Washington traded for him in 2025. He missed some games with a hamstring in October. But he’s back and continues as their starter. He’s their franchise LOT.
Cornelius Lucas was a UDFA signed by Detroit in 2014. He then signed with the Rams, and then the Saints, then the Bears, then Washington. He started 2 games at LOT as an injury replacement for Washington in 2020, but was never their starter. He is now with Cleveland.
The key term here is “franchise” LOT. Jackson not only starts for the Rams, he was extended with the big “you’re our guy” 2nd contract and is therefore their franchise LOT.
I can’t think of any other team that had a UDFA as their franchise LOT.
Granted Orlando Pace was a UDFA, but in his case the term meant “Up-high Drafted Fancy Acquisition.” So it’s a different kind of thing.
November 28, 2025 at 11:35 pm #159753
ZooeyModeratorEspecially a Canadian Left Tackle.
Whatever happened to the idea of annexing Canada? And Greenland?
I thought that was a really good idea. All the Canadians I’ve met have been decent people, and I think they would like to be liberated so they can enjoy American freedoms, too.
November 29, 2025 at 10:09 am #159757wvParticipantEspecially a Canadian Left Tackle.
Whatever happened to the idea of annexing Canada? And Greenland?
I thought that was a really good idea. All the Canadians I’ve met have been decent people, and I think they would like to be liberated so they can enjoy American freedoms, too.
Look, this thread is about undrafted FRANCHISE nations. Canada is a mid-round nation with a maple leaf as their symbol. A leaf.
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vNovember 29, 2025 at 11:39 am #159761znModeratorCanada is a mid-round nation with a maple leaf as their symbol. A leaf.
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vIf Canada acquires the US, as everyone is predicting, we’ll not only have universal healthcare and endless supplies of UDFA left tackles, but a flag with 60 maple leaves on it–one for each of the 60 provinces (50 of them being new).
The 3 territories won’t count. Let them become provinces first.
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