Rams tweets etc. … 3/12 – 3/18

Watch: Maxx Crosby had Jared Verse as a guest on his podcast

📸 Kiyoshi Mio, Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images https://t.co/uZghKfobEA pic.twitter.com/lfEBPkLjgh

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) March 11, 2026

from PFF: Highest-graded edge defenders from the 2025 NFL season — https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-highest-graded-edge-defenders-from-the-2025-nfl-season-will-anderson-jr-comes-in-at-no-1

10. Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams (83.6)

Young broke out in a big way in 2025 after two subpar seasons with the Rams to start his career, joining Will Anderson Jr. and Myles Garrett as the only three edge defenders ranking among the top 15 in pass-rush (81.2) and run-defense grade (77.8). His 52 defensive stops were the most for any edge defender this season as well.

from Highest-graded interior defenders from the 2025 NFL season: https://www.pff.com/news/highest-graded-dls-from-the-2025-nfl-season-cameron-heyward-leads-the-list

4. Poona Ford, Los Angeles Rams (86.0)

The Rams signed veteran Poona Ford last offseason in the hopes that the big nose tackle could add some punch on the interior of their defensive line. He succeeded in his first season with the team. Ford had the best campaign of his career in 2025, setting career highs in pressures (34) and stops (33).

His 10.7% run-stop rate was seventh among defensive tackles, and his 78.6 PFF run-defense grade was fifth at the position. Ford was a quiet game-changer for the Rams in 2025.

from PFF, Highest-graded RBs from the 2025 NFL season: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-highest-graded-rbs-from-the-2025-nfl-season-kenneth-walker-iii-comes-in-at-no-1

7. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams: 85.2

Williams never really had a dominant rushing performance on the season, as he never rushed for more than 110 yards in a game and only finished with one other 100-yard performance. However, he rushed for 1,485 yards on 312 carries thanks to his remarkable consistency, as he only rushed for under 50 yards in a game twice while posting a rushing grade sub-60.0 just once (Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, which was also the only game where he didn’t force a missed tackle).

Jourdan Rodrigue, from https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7119743/2026/03/16/nfl-free-agency-2026-analysis-summary/?source=emp_shared_article

Los Angeles Rams

Ahead of schedule since their sprint-rebuild in 2023, the Rams have not been shy about calling their intended shot in 2026, when their home city will again host a Super Bowl. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will be back on an adjusted contract. They believe they’ve fixed glaring issues in the secondary and on special teams. Though they invested significant money in their new cornerbacks, this roster is still mostly built through draft classes in 2023 and 2024. Those players will come due soon for paydays, and the Rams know they must go all-in to maximize this roster and their 38-year-old reigning MVP quarterback.

from Brock Vierra: https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/los-angeles-free-agency-mailbag-looking-next-moves-free-agency

Q: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being excellent, how do you score the Rams’ efforts into free agency so far?

VIERRA: 10. The Rams nailed their critical need in every way possible. I write it a lot, but the franchise spent over $200 million on their secondary. Kam Kinchens is a burgeoning star. Quentin Lake is as close to an on-field general as one could get. The cornerback room is able to defend against every receiver skillset and/ or archetype, and they bring the championship experience the defense lacked last season.

The Rams also made smart investments in their Special Teams. Expect big years from Ethan Evans and Harrison Mevis. The Rams didn’t close the gap between them and Seattle; they simply have a better roster. However, Mike Macdonald has outclassed Sean McVay arguably three times in a row, despite McVay winning the first matchup of 2025. McVay has no excuse; he must win in 2026.

Q: Remaining cap space, excluding cap for NFL Draft, what will be the focus, if any for roster needs?

VIERRA: Special Teams primarily to expect the annual Troy Reeder signing, especially after he proved to be one of the best Special Teamers on the roster. Potentially wide receiver. Backup quarterback and some depth on the line, likely on offense.

Q: If the Rams are in the wide receiver market wouldn’t it make sense to take a shot on Juwan Jennings. Would be a cheap signing I would think and not a bad 3rd option.

VIERRA: Cheap is a broad term in the NFL, especially for Jennings, as he turns 29 in July, so this might be his best window to get a strong, multi-year deal. I’ve written about this topic extensively, as Jennings makes a lot of sense.

It comes down to this. He’s an excellent three, a strong two, and a potential replacement for Davante Adams, while allowing the Rams to continue to develop Konata Mumpfield. But would Jennings be willing to take a one-year prove-it deal at a risk of being 30 next season? If so, I think he could be everything Robert Woods was, especially with Woods coaching him.

Q: Will Jimmy G be coming back?

VIERRA: Nothing confirmed, but highly likely. Garoppolo is beloved by the Rams, Sean McVay said he wanted him back, and the Rams do not seem keen on finding Matthew Stafford’s replacement in this draft or possibly any draft.

The Arizona Cardinals are the only team that could offer Garoppolo enough to leave, and talks have already soured, leading to a failure in negotiations. Unless the Cardinals want to re-engage in talks, Garoppolo’s signing is likely just a matter of time.

Q: Your take on Grant Stuard

VIERRA: Brilliant signing. The Rams are finally taking their Special Teams seriously. I remember years ago when I had a Bluesky account, someone called me out because I tracked kicker regression under Chase Blackburn, the Special Teams coach at the time. They accused me of throwing Blackburn under the bus, but the main point is that in the end, Blackburn wasn’t the answer, something the numbers have displayed for years, and it was time to clean house completely.

These issues, as documented, have been going on since at least 2023, and it wasn’t all Blackburn’s fault as the personnel also let the unit down. By signing Stuard and also Joe Cardona, this signals a new era where the New England Patriots’ standards will be the standard under new Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone. The Patriots are six-time champions and were in the Super Bowl last season because they avoid bad football. The Rams didn’t, but players like Stuard will set the standards at a high level, will ensure the unit meets and then exceeds them, and will not let them fall.

from 2026 NFL Power Rankings…After Free Agency: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-power-rankings-rams-vikings-surge-cowboys-steelers-fall-after-free-agency

…

#3 Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl odds: +1000

They are probably deep enough to withstand the losses of cornerback Riq Woolen, safety Coby Bryant and edge rusher Boye Mafe. But losing running back Kenneth Walker is going to hurt. It won’t be easy to replace the Super Bowl MVP.

#2 Denver Broncos
Previously ranked: 1
Super Bowl odds: +2000

They weren’t expecting to do much in free agency, and they didn’t disappoint. Losing defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers’ seven sacks isn’t great, but they should still have plenty of pass rush without him.

Los Angeles Rams
#1 Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl odds: +800

They are loaded for a run and made sure of it by plugging their most gaping hole — their secondary. They acquired cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson — two huge additions considering their pass coverage kept them out of the Super Bowl last season.

wv wrote:

Well, thats ridiculous. I’m a huge Macdonald fan, but he didnt ‘outclass’ McVay in any of the three games this year. Two great coaches, three great games.

w
v

+1

It’s interesting to know that putting up 1060 yards and 64 points in 2 games on the league’s 1st ranked defense in terms of points allowed, is being outclassed.

I can’t wait until they’re rated evenly, to see what the McVay Rams look like against them at that point.

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
If it seems like there have been more trades than ever. Since the 2026 new league year started last week, there have been 18 trades, including Andy Dalton today.

Kevin Demoff@kdemoff
Nothing creates more interest in the NFL than trades. This is why Cleveland’s proposal to allow teams to trade picks up to 5 years out as opposed to 3 years out makes so much sense. More picks to trade = more trades = more interest & team building options.