Los Angeles Rams lean on a young, relentless defensive front to forge an identity in 2025. Verse and Fiske anchor the edge and interior rush while Poona Ford plugs the middle to curb the run and pressure quarterbacks. Early tests against Houston and Philadelphia will show if the front can harass Barkley and deny big plays, while a revamped secondary—Forbes Jr., Durant, Williams—supports a versatile, opportunistic defense.

Inside, Landman and Speights provide speed and cover for a unit that finished 26th-20th-22nd-17th in key metrics last year but closed strong. The coaching staff, led by Shula, expects the crew to convert pressure into mistakes, with youngster depth at linebacker and a veteran nose tackle stabilizing the run defense as the season unfolds.