The Rams must win now.
The Rams are coming off a successful season in 2024.
Sean McVay and co. came the closest of any team to beating the eventual Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs. However, the Rams fell 13 yards short.
The Rams must now address their weaknesses and come back stronger next season.
The good news is that starting quarterback Matthew Stafford has re-signed for 2025, despite the talk of a trade.
So with Stafford back, here are the top three positions the Rams must address this off-season with a free agency and draft target for each.
Wide receiver
The Rams currently have Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as their first two receivers on the depth chart, but Kupp will likely be traded this offseason.
The 2021 OPOTY announced on social media in February that the team would seek to trade the wide receiver.
Tutu Atwell and DeMarcus Robinson ranked third and fourth in receiving yards for the Rams in 2024 behind Nacua and Kupp, but both are free agents this offseason.
The Rams could lose three of their top four receivers, so reinforcements are necessary.
Free Agent target – Darius Slayton
Draft target – Matthew Golden [Miami]
Inside linebacker
This has been a need for the Rams since Bobby Wagner returned to the Seattle Seahawks in 2023.
Troy Reeder had been the starter on the depth chart until he was placed on IR midway through the 2024 season and was replaced by undrafted free agent Omar Speights.
Speights, alongside Christian Rozeboom, has done a respectable job down the stretch for the Rams, but if the Rams are to compete for the Lombardi once again, they need better than respectable.
Saqoun Barkley gave the Rams nightmares in both games that Los Angeles faced the Philadelphia Eagles, and this was down to the Rams linebacker’s inability to tackle in the open field.
It has been the Rams’ main weakness over the past two years, and it needs addressing this offseason.
Free Agent target – Bobby Wagner
Draft target – Jihaad Campbell [Alabama]
Cornerback
The Rams’ four starting cornerbacks on the depth chart during the 2024 season were Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Akhello Witherspoon, and Derion Kendrick.
While all four can make big plays, they are also susceptible to giving up big plays.
The Rams need an unrivalled starting cornerback, something they have not had since Jalen Ramsey departed for Miami.
Free Agent target – D.J. Reed
Draft target – Quincy Riley [Louisville]
