Written By Ken Hulsey
A day before the start of NFL free agency, the Los Angeles Rams made a surprising move, signing All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. Adams had recently been released by the New York Jets and was on the radar of many teams, but Rams coach Sean McVay was determined to bring him to Los Angeles.
McVay reportedly went to great lengths to court Adams, even navigating a 17-hour time difference while the star receiver was on a trip to Japan to stay in constant contact. The Rams' efforts paid off, as Adams will now be paired with another elite wideout, Puka Nacua, giving the team potentially the best receiving duo in the league.
Both Nacua and Adams are poised to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in McVay's offense, which is led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Rams were able to renegotiate Stafford's contract to keep him in Los Angeles.
The addition of Adams provides the Rams with a legitimate deep threat and proven end zone target, two areas the offense had been lacking in recent seasons. While this move signals that the team is indeed planning on trading or releasing receiver Cooper Kupp due to his injury history, dwindling numbers, and large contract, the consensus is that Adams represents an upgrade for the Rams.
Just as free agency began this morning, reports surfaced that the team has reached an agreement with free-agent defensive lineman Poona Ford, who spent last season with the Chargers. Ford is a run-stuffing nose tackle who excels at eating up blocks in the middle of the defensive line. Last season, opposing teams were able to gash the Rams' defense with runs up the middle for large chunks of yardage. With Ford now anchoring the middle, that will be a far more difficult task.
For many years, the Rams have employed smaller, faster "hybrid" players at the tackle position, with mixed results. Ford, on the other hand, is a true monster on the interior. He excels at stuffing ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. Ford's veteran presence will be a welcome addition to a Rams defensive front manned largely by first- and second-year players like Kobie Turner and Brandon Fiske.
Though Ford is best known as a run-stuffer, he can also apply pressure to the passer, making him a perfect fit in Chris Shula's defense. The Rams are clearly hoping Ford's arrival will shore up their run defense and provide a steady, veteran presence in the middle of their defensive line.
The team is also bringing back veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to serve as the backup for Matthew Stafford. Garoppolo showcased his skills in the final game of the season, performing exceptionally well when the team rested many of their starters against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite Garoppolo's return, the Rams are expected to select a developmental quarterback in this year's draft. This young prospect will have the opportunity to learn from Stafford and potentially replace him in the near future.
The Rams are reportedly close to reuniting with offensive lineman Coleman Shelton, who was their starting center in 2023. Shelton left the team last year to join the Chicago Bears, but now it seems he'll be returning to the Rams. This addition would strengthen the team's offensive line depth, as Shelton has the versatility to play center or either guard position.
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