NFL Power Rankings: Post Free Agency Power Rankings Assessment
As the dust settles from the initial wave of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft looms on the horizon, the Los Angeles Rams have emerged as a team on the rise in the latest power rankings from FOX Sports, released on March 18, 2025. With the current date being March 23, 2025, the Rams sit at No. 9 in David Helman’s updated hierarchy of the NFL’s 32 teams—a notable jump fueled by savvy offseason moves and a roster poised for another playoff push. Here’s a deep dive into why the Rams are trending upward, how their offseason strategy has shaped their outlook, and what challenges lie ahead as they aim to reclaim supremacy in the NFC West.
The Rams’ Resurgence: From Midseason Momentum to Offseason Optimism
The 2024 season was a rollercoaster for Los Angeles. After a sluggish start, the Rams rallied under head coach Sean McVay to finish strong, leveraging their offensive ingenuity and a revitalized pass rush to secure a playoff berth. Matthew Stafford, now 37, showed flashes of his Super Bowl-winning form, though his age and occasional inconsistency underscored the need for reinforcements. The departure of wide receiver Cooper Kupp who signed with the Seattle Seahawks—left a void, but the addition of Devante Adams should more than makeup for that void.
Helman’s rankings place the Rams at No. 9, a testament to their ability to adapt midseason and their promising defensive core. “The Rams might be a little lower here than some imagined, considering how they ended the season,” Helman writes, “but the NFC West also should remain tough in 2025. With Sean McVay still running the show, I wouldn’t have dropped Los Angeles any lower than this, at least as long as Stafford also sticks around.” The ranking reflects a blend of respect for McVay’s brilliance and caution about the team’s ceiling without further additions.
Offseason Moves: Balancing Continuity and Reinvention
The Rams entered the offseason with clear priorities: bolster the offense around Stafford and solidify a defense that showed late-season promise. While free agency is ongoing and the draft remains a month away, Los Angeles has made strategic moves to address both sides of the ball. Adding key defensive pieces like DT Poona Ford and linebacker Nate Landman on team-friendly deals ensured continuity. The return of Tyler Higbee also provided a much-needed spark over the last several games of 2024.
On offense, the Rams have leaned into their youth movement. Puka Nacua, coming off a solid 2024 campaign, is poised to assume the No. 1 receiver role while running back Kyren Williams continues to thrive (if he can hang on to the football). However, the age and injury history of Tyler Higbee necessitates another pass-catching option—a gap the Rams could fill in the draft. Rumors swirl around their interest in Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 26 pick, a move that could pair his 6-foot-5 frame and seam-stretching ability with Stafford’s precision for years to come.
Defensively, the Rams’ pass rush—led by rookie standouts Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, and a resurgent Kobie Turner—offers a powerful defensive line, especially with the addition of Poona Ford. Helman notes the unit’s “high degree of variance” in 2024 but sees potential for growth, especially if coordinator Chris Shula can harness their aggression into consistency. The secondary, however, remains a question mark, with free-agent departures looming and a need for a lockdown corner to complement the front seven.
The Stafford Factor: A Window Still Open, But Narrowing
At the heart of the Rams’ 2025 outlook is Matthew Stafford. The veteran quarterback’s decision to return for another season keeps Los Angeles in contention, but his age and the physical toll of 16 NFL seasons are inescapable realities. In 2024, Stafford threw for 3,763 yards and 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, respectable numbers tempered by moments where he “showed his age,” as Helman puts it. His arm strength remains elite, but the Rams must protect him better—left tackle Alaric Jackson’s development and the health of guard Steve Avila will be critical.
McVay’s play-calling has evolved to mask Stafford’s limitations, relying on play-action and quick releases to exploit defenses. The addition of a dynamic tight end like Loveland could further ease the burden, giving Stafford a safety valve over the middle and stretching defenses vertically. Yet, with Stafford’s contract running through 2026, the Rams are acutely aware of their closing Super Bowl window—a reality that fuels their urgency this offseason.
NFC West Challenges: A Division in Flux
The Rams’ No. 9 ranking comes with a caveat: the NFC West remains a gauntlet. The San Francisco 49ers ranked No. 11, may have lost some luster from their 2023 peak, but Kyle Shanahan’s system and a roster still boasting seven All-Pros keep them dangerous. Their 11 draft picks, including No. 11 overall, signal a reload rather than a rebuild. The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, though unranked in the top 10, also loom as threats—Seattle’s defense-first identity and Arizona’s young core could disrupt the division race.
For the Rams, reclaiming the NFC West crown means outpacing these rivals in roster construction. Their midseason surges in 2023 and 2024—going 7-2 down the stretch last year—prove they can peak at the right time, but Helman warns, “One of these days, they’re going to get burned by a cold start.” Avoiding that fate starts with a fast start in 2025, a goal that hinges on draft success and Stafford’s health.
Draft Dreams: Colston Loveland and Beyond
With the No. 26 pick, the Rams are well-positioned to land a difference-maker, and Colston Loveland’s name keeps surfacing. The Michigan tight end’s 2024 stats—56 catches, 582 yards, and five touchdowns—don’t fully capture his upside. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare with soft hands and a knack for finding open zones, traits that could thrive in McVay’s scheme. His blocking needs polish, but at 20 years old, he’s a long-term investment who could succeed Tyler Higbee, whose contract expires after 2025.
Other options include a wide receiver like LSU’s Kyren Lacy to replace Kupp as a long-term solution or a cornerback like Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison to shore up the secondary. Snead’s history of trading up—most famously for Stafford in 2021—suggests the Rams might not sit still if Loveland or another target slides into the late teens. The cost would be steep, but the payoff could be a cornerstone player for the post-Stafford era.
The Road Ahead: Super Bowl or Bust?
At No. 9, the Rams are firmly in the second tier of NFL contenders, behind juggernauts like the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 1), Kansas City Chiefs (No. 2), and Buffalo Bills (No. 3). Helman’s top 10 reflects a league in transition, with the Rams sandwiched between the ascending Denver Broncos (No. 8) and the retooled Baltimore Ravens (No. 10). To climb higher, Los Angeles must nail the draft, stay healthy, and hope Stafford defies Father Time for one more run.
The optimism is palpable. McVay’s track record, a top-10 offense (per 2024 rankings), and a defense with breakout potential give the Rams a puncher’s chance at Super Bowl LX. Yet, the margin for error is thin—Stafford’s decline, a tough division, and the NFC’s depth could derail their ambitions. As Helman notes, “Until the Rams add some more pieces, I still have my questions about them.” The next month will define whether those questions turn into answers—or lingering doubts.
A Team on the Cusp
The Rams stand as a team teetering between contenders and a middle-of-the-pack team. Their No. 9 ranking in FOX Sports’ power rankings captures a squad with undeniable talent and a proven coach, yet one needing a final push to join the elite. With free agency ongoing and the draft approaching, the Rams have the tools to reshape their narrative. If they seize the moment, 2025 could mark their return to the NFL’s summit. If not, the window may close faster than anyone in Hollywood expects.
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