You needn't be a dedicated fan of the Los Angeles Rams to understand that this team simply had no answer to stop Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Whether it was the fact that the Eagles' offensive line was that good, Barkley was that fast and powerful, or the Eagles' offense simply outclassed the Rams' defense on game day is up to you.
One thing is certain. The Rams' run defense didn't have a snowball's chance in a fiery furnace of stopping Barkley in his tracks. Now the question is this. Have the Rams done enough in the offseason to stop him?:
It seems short-sighted to hold the Rams' entire offseason to such a simple and single-focused standard. Despite the erratic feel to that singular standard, it's hard to ignore the knowledge that all roads to postseason success in 2025 for the Rams lead through the Philadelphia Eagles. And all roads to defeating the very potent Eagles team are shutting down running back Saquon Barkley.
The Rms have certainly used that goal in restocking the roster.
The question is, will it be enough? Let's peel back the layers of the Rams' offseason moves and see if the team made an adequate amount of effort:
(3) - Edge Rushers, defensive backs
While the Rams added an energetic and passionate rookie edge rusher named Josaiah Stewart, the team made relatively few changes or upgrades to the defense that can be identified as improvements to run defense. But this team has an uncanny knack of getting boosts from unexpected places. I defy anyone to discount the passion of 2024 rookies like Jared Verse or Braden Fiske to be content with their performance against Barkley last season. I suspect that the entire defense will regroup and be far more prepared to stiffen in run defense this season.
The Rams also seem to lure lightning into a bottle late in the draft or from undrafted collegiate free agents signed after the draft. This year, the team signed 6-foot-1, 260-pound edge rusher Jamil Muhammad out of USC and 6-foot-2, 249-pound edge rusher Josh Pearcy out of Rice. While neither is likely to win a spot on the 53-man roster, they could land on the practice squad and be elevated on game day if their run defense warrants defensive snaps.
(2) - Inside linebackers
The Rams found a young run-stuffer in 6-foot-1, 228-pound rookie Omar Speights in 2024. But now, he has competition. The Rams added 6-foot-3, 235-pound veteran inside linebacker Nate Landman, who is equally adept at stuffing the run. If it ended there, the Rams would still have a huge question mark hovering over this defense.
That dissipates when you consider the team's drafting Pooh Paul Jr. and signing undrafted inside linebacker Shaun Dolac. Paul Jr. stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 222 pounds, while Dolac stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 225 pounds. A bit undersized? Keep in mind that Speights is nearly the same size, and he was very effective at stuffing the run. But what Paul and Dolac bring to the Rams defense is more than run-stuffing stalwartness. They are adept at pass coverage, stuffing the run, a huge range, and instantly processing what the offense is doing in real time.
Their presence on defense eliminates the need for this team to go nickel and dime defensive packages to enhance the team's ability to cover passes, at the expense of depleting the ability to stuff the run. In short, they add a new dimension to the Rams' defense in terms of specific down-and-distance scenarios that will pay off handsomely in 2025.
(1) - Interior defensive linemen
It's impossible to view the Rams' offseason efforts to improve the team's run defense in 2025 without being drawn to the addition of veteran nose tackle Poona Ford. Ford's superpower is stuffing the run with amazing power, a very low center of gravity, and the agility of a cat. Standing 5-foot-11, you would never guess that he weighs 310 pounds until you see his muscles. This guy is built like the Hulk, and offensive linemen can attest to the fact that he is one of the most difficult defensive linemen to block in their careers.
Poona Ford is an excellent addition. But the team's not done just yet.
When the Rams drafted rookie defensive lineman Ty Hamilton, a player we identifiedbefore the draft as a potential draft selection. Hemilton was projected to come off the board as early as Day 2, but the Rams found him still available in Round 5. While just a rookie, Hamilton arrives with a polished NFL-ready arsenal of run-stuffing strategies that almost ensure he gets plenty of work in his rookie season. And at 6-foot-2 and 299 pounds, he shares that vital low center of gravity that allows him to fend off multiple offensisve linemen.
Still not convinced? The Rams were not through at bolstering the defensive line after drafting Hamilton. The team continued to add talent, signing collegiate free agent defensive linemen Bill Norton out of Texas and Da'Jon Terry out of Oklahoma after the draft ended. Both Norton and Terry are massive defensive linemen, as Norton stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 335 pounds, while Terry stands 6-foot-3 and tips the scales at 330 pounds.
For Norton to make an impact this season, he will need to show an ability to stop the run quickly in training camp. For Terry to make an impact this season, he will need to demonstrate the stamina to hold up for all plays, and that he deserves to get his share of defensive snaps.
While we cannot predict the future, it does appear that the Rams front office attacked the problem of stopping Eagles running back Saquon Barkley from multiple angles. And keep in mind that were it not for multiple miscues by the Rams in a snowstorm in the playoffs, the Rams may have won even without shutting down Barkley.
The Rams will defend Barkley much more effectively in 2025. How much more effectively remains to be seen.
As always, thanks for reading.
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