The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Los Angeles Rams and preview how it might perform this season.
Los Angeles Rams 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Rams ranked 14th in yards per carry allowed to running backs (4.2) last season and were 31st in forced negative run rate. Braden Fiske took a step back in the sack department in Year 2, but he logged a very similar 12.3% pressure rate. Kobie Turner picked up the slack with 7 sacks on a 12.4% pressure rate. Poona Ford was strong against the run, recording 10 run stuffs and ranking fifth among all qualified defensive linemen in tackle rate on running plays. Tyler Davis was 13th among that same group in tackle rate on running plays.
The Rams finished fourth in pressure rate (41.6%) last season and ranked seventh with 47 sacks. Both Jared Verse and Byron Young ranked in the top 15 for pressure rate among qualified pass rushers last year. Verse is now gone, but he was traded for record-setting pass rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who has forced pressure on 17.1% of his pass rush snaps over the last five seasons. The Rams already were loaded in the front seven, but Garrett takes them to another level.
The primary snap takers at linebacker return for 2026 (Nate Landman and Omar Speights), and the Rams added Grant Stuard in free agency. Landman is coming off a good first season with the team, recording 13 run stuffs and ranking 14th among qualified linebackers in tackle rate on run plays. Speights was not as active against the run, but he finished 19th among qualified linebackers in yards allowed per coverage snap.
The Rams allowed 6.8 yards per pass attempt last season and finished sixth in EPA allowed per pass attempt, but their pass defense became a concern by the end of the season. The front office made big changes in the offseason, trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson, both from the Chiefs. That pair will replace the over 1,500 corner snaps that have left the roster. The nickel spot should be handled by “safety” Quentin Lake, who has been the primary slot corner the last two years. The Rams also got surprisingly good play out of Emmanuel Forbes, who looked like a first-round bust during his time with the Commanders.
The Rams brought back Kam Curl this offseason, keeping their safety rotation intact for 2026. A 2024 third-round pick, Kamren Kinchens played 75% of the snaps in his second season, forming a great partnership with Curl. Jaylen McCollough also saw a lot of time on the field in his second season, giving the Rams a lot of experience in the safety group.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
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