Grading the first wave of free agency for the Los Angeles Rams: The best and worst moves of their start to the offseason

The Los Angeles Rams’ first week of free agency is in the books. How are they doing so far?

AJ Schulte — College Football Trending News Writer
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Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) reacts with cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) after an interception during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) reacts with cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) after an interception during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Rams have gotten off to a strong start of the offseason, making their patented splash moves to shore up their weakest link from last season. With the first week of free agency over, it’s a good time to look back and examine what Les Snead, Sean McVay, and Co. have done so far.

What are the best and worst things from the Rams’ free agency so far?

All the Rams additions so far

  • Traded for CB Trent McDuffie
  • Signed CB Jaylen Watson, three-year deal worth $51 million.
  • Signed LS Joe Cardona, two-year deal.
  • Signed LB Grant Stuard, two-year deal worth $5.05 million.

Best move the Rams have made: Address the Secondary

The Rams’ secondary was the weakest part of the roster last season, and they were set to take several losses there in free agency. Instead, they turned it into a strength of the roster.

Snead made his patented splash move, trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie. Not to be stopped there, however, he turned around and signed McDuffie’s teammate in Jaylen Watson to signal in a new era for the Rams’ defense. Those two are instantly the top cornerback tandem the Rams have had in years.

Additionally, Snead brought back Kam Curl, breaking his tradition of not paying safeties. The Rams unleashed Curl in the playoffs as a versatile weapon, and his play was a key reason why they made the NFC Championship Game. The Rams now have proven starters at every position. While I would like for them to continue improving the depth here, this is comfortably their best secondary since their last Super Bowl run.

The biggest concern: Linebacker not addressed

I’ve written extensively about the Rams’ woes at linebacker. I’m skeptical they will ever do something to address it, as I’m not sure Sean McVay really respects the position, but it’s the most glaring hole left on the roster, in my opinion.

Omar Speights struggled last season, ending the year with an embarrassing outing (like, burn the film) against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, while Landman is a productive run defender, but struggled to be an impact player in coverage. Improving their team speed at the second level is a must this offseason, or else I will feel like they mainly postured about self-scouting this offseason without actually solving a massive problem on the roster.

In the grand scheme of things, the Rams have proven they can get by with this duo, but it’s relatively thin and one of the weaker units in the league. Doing nothing here beyond signing a special teamer is a cause of concern for me.

Grading Rams free agency: A

The Rams had one clear goal in the offseason, and they accomplished it with aplomb. After addressing the secondary, they shored up their special teams as well, the two biggest weaknesses of the team last season. It’s hard for me to be overly critical of what they have done this offseason, even if I would like to see more to be fully bought in.

Now, the focus has to be improving their depth and focusing on the future as they gear up for an “all in” Super Bowl run.

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