As the Rams gear up for the 2025 NFL season, most position groups seem to be shaping up well. With McVay and Snead steering the ship, the Rams are coming off a good draft and picked up a few key free agents. Several questions remain about their depth and how new additions will fit into their plans. Let’s dive into key roster questions, focusing on the offensive line backups, the linebacker competition, the potential of undrafted free agents (UDFAs), the cornerback situation, and which draft picks are poised for immediate impact.
Offensive Line: Who Backs Up Rob Havenstein and Alaric Jackson?
Like all NFL teams, it all starts up front with the offensive line. The starting unit is largely set with Alaric Jackson at left tackle, Steve Avila at left guard, Coleman Shelton at center, Kevin Dotson at right guard, and Rob Havenstein at right tackle. However, depth is a concern, especially with Havenstein entering the final year of his contract at age 33 and coming off shoulder surgeries. Alaric Jackson, recently extended with a three-year deal, is locked in at left tackle, but the Rams need reliable backups for both tackle positions to ensure stability.
For Rob Havenstein, the veteran right tackle and team captain, the Rams are looking at younger players to groom as potential successors. Warren McClendon, a 2023 fifth-round pick, is the leading candidate to back up Havenstein. Last year, McClendon’s limited action did not make me feel confident that he is ready for a larger role if Havenstein’s injuries linger. Another intriguing option is Trey Wedig, an undrafted free agent from Indiana. Wedig, who was projected as a Day 3 pick, brings size and versatility, making him a candidate to compete for a roster spot and potentially serve as a swing tackle. His development will be critical, as the Rams did not address the offensive tackle position in the 2025 draft, signaling confidence in their current depth or a plan to address it in 2026 with their extra first-round pick.
For Alaric Jackson, the backup situation is less clear. The Rams were smart to let Joe Noteboom walk, and he has now signed with the Ravens. He was a huge liability and could never stay on the field. Beaux Limmer, a 2024 sixth-round pick, was impressive filling in at center in 2024 and could serve as a versatile backup across the line, though he’s primarily seen as a future center. KT Leveston, another 2024 draft pick, is coming off injured reserve and could compete for a backup role. The Rams also added a few UDFA’s that could play a role. Wyatt Bowles from Utah State, Ben Dooley from Boise State, and North Carolina OL Willie Lampkin may add some depth, although Lampkin’s lack of size prevents him from taking on a role at the edge. The team’s decision to prioritize other positions in the draft suggests they are banking on McClendon, Wedig, and Leveston to provide sufficient depth for 2025.
Linebacker Competition: Will Nate Landman and Chris Paul Jr. Start Alongside Omar Speights?
The inside linebacker position is one of the Rams’ most intriguing battles heading into 2025. Omar Speights, an undrafted free agent from 2024, emerged as a promising starter last season, showing instincts and physicality that earned him a spot on the initial 53-man roster. Nate Landman, signed in free agency from the Atlanta Falcons, brings experience as a downhill run-stopper but is limited in coverage. Chris Paul Jr., a 2025 fifth-round pick from Ole Miss, adds athleticism and range, making him a potential third-down specialist. The trio will compete with veteran Troy Reeder and UDFA Shaun Dolac for starting roles alongside Speights.
Speights is likely to retain his starting spot due to his growth and familiarity with defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s scheme. Landman’s run-stopping ability makes him a strong candidate for early-down duties, but his limitations in pass coverage could open the door for Paul, who fell further than expected in the draft but possesses first-round talent. Paul’s speed and coverage skills could see him take over on passing downs, potentially forming a complementary tandem with Speights. Reeder, a reliable veteran, is on a one-year deal and may serve as a rotational player or special-teams contributor. The Rams are also seeking a “green dot” defensive signal-caller, and Paul’s upside could position him to take on that role if he adapts quickly to the NFL level.
Posts on X and around the web highlight the excitement around this linebacker group, noting Speights’ breakout potential, Landman’s run defense, Paul’s first-round upside, and Dolac’s potential as a UDFA steal. While the front office may feel confident in this group, many analysts see it as a work in progress, and the Rams could target another linebacker in 2026 if Paul or Dolac don’t step up.
Undrafted Free Agents: Can Shaun Dolac and Jordan Waters Make the Roster?
The Rams have a strong track record of finding gems among undrafted free agents, with players like Speights and Jaylen McCollough making the 2024 roster. In 2025, Shaun Dolac and Jordan Waters are two UDFAs with realistic shots at earning spots, though their paths differ.
Shaun Dolac, a linebacker from Buffalo, was considered a draftable talent but fell due to the numbers game. His instincts, tackling ability, and special-teams potential make him a strong candidate to compete with Reeder for a roster spot. Analysts, including Thor Nystrom, have praised the Rams’ 2025 UDFA class, with Dolac highlighted as a potential steal. He could start on the practice squad, but has the upside to overtake Reeder or even challenge Landman if he excels in camp.
Jordan Waters, a running back, faces a tougher road. With Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers entrenched as the top three running backs, Waters would need to shine on special teams or exploit an injury to make the 53-man roster. The Rams’ running back room is crowded, and their similar skill sets reduce the need for another back unless Waters offers a unique dimension, such as power running or receiving skills. He’s more likely to land on the practice squad, where he could develop for a future role.
Other UDFAs to watch include Trey Wedig (mentioned above) and Nate Varcarcel, a safety from Northern Illinois with a low missed-tackle rate and pass breakup ability. Varcarcel could carve out a special-teams role with potential to grow into a defensive contributor.
Cornerback Situation: Will the Rams Add One?
The Rams’ cornerback position is a glaring need heading into 2025. Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Cobie Durant are the projected starters, but the depth behind them is thin, and both Williams and Witherspoon could be free agents after 2025. The Rams’ failure to draft a cornerback in 2025 raised eyebrows, especially given the strong cornerback class. Quentin Lake, a versatile safety who can play the slot, provides some flexibility, but the team lacks a young, ascending talent to build around in the secondary.
The Rams have been linked to a potential reunion with Jalen Ramsey, their former star cornerback traded to Miami in 2023. A post-June 1 trade could save cap space by cutting Derion Kendrick, who is coming off injured reserve with an ACL injury, and is too slow for every-down cornerback. The team’s decision to prioritize defensive line (Poona Ford) and linebacker additions in the draft suggests they’re banking on improving coverage through better pass rush, but this approach may not suffice against elite passing offenses.
Expect the Rams to address cornerback in the preseason or before, either through a high-profile trade (like Ramsey) or a free agent signing. For 2025, Josh Wallace and Charles Woods, both 2024 UDFAs, could compete for the CB4 spot, but the Rams may also explore veteran additions to bolster depth before training camp.
Draft Picks Poised for Immediate Impact
The Rams’ 2025 draft class, though smaller with only six picks, was strategically designed to address immediate and future needs. Several rookies are expected to make an immediate impact:
- Terrance Ferguson (TE, Round 2, Pick 46): Ferguson, a versatile tight end from Oregon, was a favorite of McVay and the scouting staff for his three-down potential. With Tyler Higbee in the final year of his contract and Colby Parkinson as the No. 2 tight end, Ferguson could see significant snaps as a hybrid tight end, especially in 12 personnel sets. His ability to block and contribute as a receiver makes him a likely contributor from Week 1.
- Josaiah Stewart (OLB, Round 3, Pick 90): Stewart, an outside linebacker from Michigan, fits the Rams’ mold of high-upside, small-school transfers. With Michael Hoecht now with the Bills, Stewart is tailor-made for the third pass-rusher role in extra-rusher packages, complementing Jared Verse and Byron Young. His speed and leadership make him a candidate for immediate rotational snaps.
- Chris Paul Jr. (ILB, Round 5): As mentioned, Paul’s athleticism and coverage skills position him for a third-down role, potentially overtaking Landman or Reeder. His ability to develop into a “green dot” signal-caller could see him on the field early, especially in passing situations.
- Ty Hamilton (DT): A late-round pick, Hamilton’s versatility to back up Poona Ford or Kobie Turner on the defensive line gives him a chance to earn rotational snaps. His ability to play multiple positions along the line adds depth to a strong front.
The Rams’ draft strategy focused on players with immediate roles (Ferguson, Stewart, Paul) and developmental depth (Hamilton), reflecting McVay and Snead’s confidence in their current roster while planning for the future.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2025 season with a roster poised for contention but with notable questions at key positions. The backup tackle roles behind Havenstein and Jackson hinge on McClendon, Wedig, and Leveston, with depth remaining a concern. The linebacker competition between Speights, Landman, and Paul Jr. will shape the defense, with Dolac as a potential dark horse. UDFAs like Dolac and Varcarcel have realistic shots at the roster, while Waters faces an uphill battle. The cornerback position remains a weak link, likely requiring offseason additions, and rookies like Ferguson, Stewart, and Paul are set to make immediate impacts.
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