TheLos Angeles Ramsdefense was slow to start in 2024, but awfully strong at the finish line. You could successfully argue that the final three regular-season victories came about thanks to a rapidly surging defense. But this is not the time to settle in or become complacent with the unit that still has serious question marks at run defense, and even question marks over its secondary. When you are content to send the least expensive defense in the NFL onto the football field for a second season in a row, you are bound to harbor some questions.
Is it time to invest a little bit more into group?
If NFL rumorsare true, andRams HC Sean McVay has confirmed them, the Rams are pursuing a trade with the Miami Dolphins to reunite with former defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Of course, the team would love to do so at something less than the $21 million guaranteed salary that is due to Ramsey at the moment.
And while the Rams front office is shopping around for upgrades, a Pro Bowl defensive back was just released by the Green Bay Packers. Could Jaire Alexander be an addition to put the Rams up and over the top? Keep in mind that, except for extending CB Ahkello Witherspoon in the offseason, the Rams have done nothing to improve the secondary.
Are the team's hopes in getting much more out of Witherspoon and the 2024 addition Emmanuel Forbes misplaced? Or can the Rams rally in pass coverage this season?
What about that run defense?
When it comes to bolstering the Rams' run defense, when is enough truly enough? It falls to reason that there comes a point when more investment does not get as much bang for the buck. And the team has certainly invested in improving its ability to stop the run in multiple ways. Unfortunately, that investment will be put to the test early in the season.
The Rams' Week 1 opponent, the Houston Texans, has already invested heavily in their running back room by adding veteran RB Nick Chubb. Should the Rams counter by reinvesting in their run defense? If you are at a loss as to who might bolster the Rams' run-stuffing ability even further, that ideal player just fell into their laps.
The Cincinnati Bengals are releasing long-time starting ILB Germaine Pratt. He is a solid and durable run defender who was a team captain for the Bengals in 2024. And now he is available to the highest bidder.
The #Bengals are releasing veteran LB Germaine Pratt today, per sources.
Pratt ranked in the top 10 in the NFL last season in tackles and was a team captain. Now, he hits the open market. pic.twitter.com/6OabVd3Dv8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 9, 2025
If you like the direction the Rams defense took in adding veteran ILB Nate Landman, then you are bound to love the idea of adding veteran ILB Germaine Pratt. Here's why:
Nate Landman gives the Rams a young but experienced run-stuffing inside linebacker. But he has fought through injuries. Landman is a bigger-bodied ILB, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 238 pounds.
Germaine Pratt is an even bigger-bodied veteran inside linebacker who is extremely physical and durable. He stands 6-foot-3 and tips the scales at 250 pounds. He also exhibits his defensive prowess as a run-stuffing veteran ILB, but he adds a sneaky way of creating turnovers as well. For his last four seasons in the Bengals defense, Pratt has come down with seven interceptions and forced seven fumbles.
He put up a huge number of solo tackles in 2024. If he played for the Rams in 2024, his 80 solo tackles would lead the Rams defense by a comfortable margin.
Pratt faced the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, playing 58 defensive snaps and recording eight tackles. If you recall, the Rams running backs were all but neutralized in that game, proving that Pratt can be a huge factor in stopping the run.
The Rams would be very wise to consider bringing Pratt on board. Pratt brings an ideal blend of size, power, experience, and productivity to a defense that loves to create turnovers. Will the Rams get Pratt's agent on the phone? Who says that they haven't already?
As always, thanks for reading.
You may enjoy these other recent Rams articles too