Before the NFL Draft kicks off, The Athletic ran a model to predict which rosters will be the best for the 2025 season. The model assigned values to players based on their expected affect on a game and then determined and expected margin of victory against an average NFL roster.
The Los Angeles Rams tied with the Washington Commanders at No. 8 with a plus-1.8-point margin of victory. The only teams ahead of the Rams were the Philadelphia Eagles, the Baltimore Ravens, the Detroit Lions, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers.
“Out goes Cooper Kupp and in comes Davante Adams to keep the Rams set at the offensive skill positions,” The Athletic‘s Austin Mock wrote. “The offensive line is average, so that’s not an immediate need, though a dominant offensive tackle could go a long way to helping this offense take another step toward elite. For as much progress as the defense made last season, it still needs some work. The defensive line made strides last year with rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, but they’re still lacking playmakers on that side of the ball, especially at linebacker where they project to have one of the worst units in the league.”
This assessment should lay the groundwork for what the Rams need to do to compete at the highest level in 2025. And it pretty much aligns with the team’s obvious needs in the draft: linebacker, cornerback and offensive line.
The Rams have their starting core on the offensive line but have a few question marks at key positions. The line also doesn’t have a truly dominant player at any of the five positions. Inside linebacker and cornerback are the biggest holes, as the impending starters either underperformed in 2024 or are inexperienced — or both.
Offensive weapons isn’t a concern with Adams, Nacua and Kyren Williams, but an elite tight end could make the roster even better. And despite a solid group of pass rushers, another one couldn’t hurt.
The Rams clearly have a top-10 overall unit in the NFL, as evidenced by their six-point loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the NFC Divisional Round. But the roster isn’t perfect and will need some additional pieces. That’s where the draft comes in with the Rams’ eight picks. First up, though, is how the team handles the No. 26 pick in the first round.