J.B. Long

To achieve the same results they got last season, the Los Angeles Rams will have to be better. To repeat as NFC West champions, build on a 10-win regular season and trip to the Divisional Round, the 2025 roster will have to perform significantly better than they did in 2024.

How do we know?

Because as impressive as they were rallying from three games below .500 at their bye (for the second year in a row) to make the playoffs, the Rams also were relatively fortunate. They won eight games by seven or fewer points, breaking a franchise record. They had a negative point differential on the season (-19). That's seldom the profile of a playoff team. Furthermore, more than half of their wins featured multiple takeaways; four included a non-offensive touchdown. That's remarkably difficult to replicate!

Furthermore, the competition gets stiffer. By virtue of reigning in the NFC West, the Rams have to face a first-place schedule in 2025 that means trips to Baltimore and Philadelphia, plus a home date with Detroit. The division itself also got stouter this offseason (you can throw this column in my face if the Niners win six or fewer games).

Thus, as the Rams set their initial 53-man roster this week, the burning question becomes: Did the Rams get better at their respective position groups?

Thankfully, I found the answer to be resoundingly affirmative in the majority of those rooms.

Offense

Running Back - Yes

WithKyren Williamsextended and three drafted tailbacks on the roster, this is as deep a running back group as the Rams have had underSean McVay.Blake Corumis back from a late-season arm injury and poised for his second season. RookieJarquez Hunterdelivers some added punch, high-end speed, anda four-year old horsefor good measure.

Wide Receiver - Yes

Much as we'll miss Cooper Kupp, there's ample reason to believe thatDavante Adamsprovides upside as a one-for-one replacement. He could not have been more dominant throughout the offseason program.

For the first time in his NFL career,Puka Nacuahits Week 1 healthy (unlike 2024) and with an All-Pro running mate (unlike in 2023). My expectation is he and Adams will unlock the red zone for the Rams offense in a critical way.

I know you've read this from me before, but coming off career-best numbers in 2024, this is the year forTutu Atwell! Please let his average depth of target break records, and even when he's not getting the ball, Atwell's velocity should be creating pockets for the other eligibles.

I've been high onJordan Whittingtonrole all summer.Konata Mumpfieldhad a great first camp.Xavier Smithis as good a punter returner and WR6 as you'll find something no one could have forecast a year ago. Wide receivers coach Eric Yarber is a wealthy man, and he deserves it.

Especially when you include the tight ends, I see this group of pass-catchers as having the best composition and most potential since Brandin Cooks was traded to Houston in 2020.

Tight End - Yes

So let's go there next, because there's nowhere for the Rams tight end group to go but up. Last season, they were the least productive unit in the league.

We all witnessed how sorely they lacked their leader.Tyler Higbeerejuvenated the offense upon his December return and he's ready to rock in Year 10.

Perhaps too much was expected and/or asked ofColby Parkinsonupon his arrival in Los Angeles, but I'm a fan of his role going into 2025.

One could argue thatDavis Allenwas challenged by a coaching change and a top draft pick at his position. However, the third-year pro responded nicely, locking in his 53-man spot on the depth chart early in training camp.

As forTerrance Ferguson, his groin injury was an unfortunate setback, right as he was starting to emerge in early August. It was encouraging to see him get his feet wet in Cleveland in the finale and that slot fade he put on tape might cost opposing defensive coordinators some sleep. By virtue of Ferguson's selection and Higbee's return to health, this stands to be the most improved position group on the roster.

Offensive Line Yes

The uncertainty surroundingAlaric Jackson's recurrent blood clots is about the only element to pick at, here. Considering he was suspended for the first two games of 2024, however, having your starting left tackle on track to play against the Houston Texas is already an upgrade.

Knowing who your starting center will be, and having been consistent with that intention since bringingColeman Sheltonback to LA this offseason, is another giant leap forward from where the Rams were this time last year. Shelton not only brings out the best inMatthew Stafford, he elevates the two behemoths next to himSteve Avila(left guard, final answer) andKevin Dotson(right guard, vibes immaculate).

With 33-year-old right tackleRob Havensteinalso ready for the opener, something we couldn't say flying to Detroit last September, the top five are clearly improved.

As for depth, the Rams were very conscientious here, carrying 10 offensive linemen, including veteransD.J. HumphriesandDavid Quessenberry. That's important, especially given the realities of the tackle position mentioned above.

"In my three years hereit's definitely the deepest offensive line that we have had," coordinator Mike LaFleur said last week.

Quarterback No, but

The good news is, he's back. The bad news is, well, his back.

We'll circle back to Stafford in a second, but let's work our way up the depth chart.

There's no comparison betweenStetson Bennett IVgoing into Year 3 and any other juncture of his NFL career. So QB3 is light years ahead.

Jimmy Garoppoloreturns for his second campaign in Horns, isn't suspended for the first two games, and took every snap of training camp with the starting offense. Since McVay took over, QB2 has never been more entrenched and prepared either.

Of course, it's hard to tout how much better the Rams are at quarterback this season given how much time QB1 missed with the disc issue. I can't contend in good faith that Stafford's in a better spot than 2024. What I know with certainty is that his circumstances are much-improved. If his health allows, I believe there's a path to more productive quarterback play from Stafford (and anyone else who's pressed into duty).

Defense

Edge Yes

Jared Verse won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.Byron Youngproduced 15.5 sacks in two seasons on the job.Josaiah Stewartlayers in as a fresh Top 100 pick to help offset the loss of Michael Hoecht.

In terms of depth, it was disappointing to loseKeir Thomasto a season-ending injury because of how he'd held off some challengers at outside linebacker.Nick Hamptondid much the same throughout the past month and is still just 25 years old.Desjuan Johnsonmoving to the edge in a Hoecht-like role is intriguing, still provides some insurance on the line, and I like that he's performed in meaningful games when called up.

When aligned with the enhancements the Rams have made on the interior of their defense, these outside backers should feast.

Defensive Line Yes

All due respect to Bobby Brown and Neville Gallimore, but this interior is suddenly Ford tough.

Poona Fordfortifies the Rams most urgent need on defense and is reinforced byTyler Davis, coming off an underrated rookie season, plus fifth-round additionTy Hamilton. If they do their jobs, opponents will have farther to go on second and third down this season. That will allowKobie TurnerandBraden Fisketo stay fresh for known passing situations and compete withJared Versefor the 2025 sack crown.

Inside Linebackers Ooohhh Yeah

If you're still reading, you must be a Rams diehard. And if you're a Rams diehard, you're aware of how different this room looks and probably pretty excited about it. I know I am.

Nate Landmanwas a super-savvy signing; he walked right in and took the green dot. He'll join forces with last season's undrafted sensationOmar Speights. Behind them, another college free agentShaun Dolacbeat out his drafted classmate Pooh Paul, whileTroy Reederprovides special teams ability and a backstop in case adversity hits.

I think I write for all of us: off-ball linebacker should be the most improved unit on defense.

Cornerback Could be!

The position group that outsiders were shocked to see go untouched in the Draft arrives at Week 1 unchanged from the Divisional Round trip to Philadelphia.

The upside of this position group largely rests on the slim frame ofEmmanuel Forbes Jr..

However, it's equally about havingDarious Williamsavailable to start a new season andAhkello Witherspoonhaving been with the Rams throughout the offseason program. Neither of those things were true last fall.

Cobie Durantdid damage late in the year and will be playing for his second NFL deal. And the corners can argue with the safeties about which position group gets to claimQuentin Lakeas he enters a contract year, too.

Safety Yes

I continue to pound the table that the Rams safeties might be the most underrated position group in the NFC West.

Let's start with Lake, who's been brilliant this summer and is due overdue for his first pro pick. So, too, is veteranKam Curl, who hasn't had an interception since his rookie season in Washington.

No such trouble forKamren Kinchens, who claimed four as a rookie, including a 103-yard return for a touchdown, the longest defensive score in franchise history. He was drafted, and this role was expected going into his sophomore season. But how about TankJaylen McCollough? That he also racked up four interceptions as a college free agent was a massive differentiator for the Rams last season and is the type of clutch personnel move by LA's front office that has them in contention in 2025.

If things go well up front, this unit should have ample opportunity to be hunting takeaways.

Special Teams Yes

The kicking game transformed from a liability to an asset over the course of the 2024 season.Joshua Kartymade 17 field goals in a row to close his rookie season, highlighted by longs of 58 and 57 the last time he was inside SoFi Stadium.

Ethan Evans was booming punts at an All-Pro level down the stretch, landing 55 percent inside the 20 (second-best in the NFL) with only two touchbacks all season.

Turns out a healthy long-snappingAlex Wardmakes a noticeable difference, too.

Here's to these three amigos growing together into LA's latest long-term special teams nucleus, the way that Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, and Jake McQuaide did a decade ago.

And finally, let's not forget the punch thatJordan WhittingtonandXavier Smithgave the Rams down the stretch.

Having built out the back end of their roster so effectively with the last three classes in particular, with continuity under coordinator Chase Blackburn, there's every reason to be bullish about all phases of the kicking game.