Part of why the Los Angeles Rams have been so dominant this season is because of the work general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay did this offseason in identifying and signing talent in free agency.
They found the gaps in the roster and acquired players who could address the problems that plagued the team in 2024. And even better — they didn’t overspend. The Rams signed contracts worth a total of $94.3 million this offseason, which ranked 16th in the NFL, according to Spotrac. For reference, the New England Patriots spent the most money — $364.3 million.
Despite their frugality, three Rams players made Pro Football Focus’ top-20 free-agent signing list for 2025: receiver Davante Adams, defensive lineman Poona Ford and linebacker Nate Landman. All three have been starters and major contributors on both sides of the ball.
Adams leads the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns this year and has been a red zone juggernaut for L.A. According to PFF, Adams’ 84.1 receiving grade is the 11th-best among qualified receivers this season and his personal best since 2022. He’s been huge for quarterback Matthew Stafford, too, with a 112.6 passer rating when targeted.
The Rams’ biggest need this offseason was run-stopping, as L.A. had given up the 26th-most rushing yards in 2024. Ford immediately addressed that issue and helped turn the Rams into a top defense against the run. From PFF:
Ford has proliferated his outstanding play from a year ago in SoFi Stadium. In 2025, his 89.5 overall PFF grade is the second-best among qualified interior defenders. While Ford has been good as a pass-rusher with a 73.2 PFF pass-rushing grade, he’s made his mark in run defense — procuring an 85.5 PFF run-defense grade with a 12.7% run stop rate.
Los Angeles’ defensive line holds top-five figures against both the pass and run this year, and Ford is an indispensable part of that.
Landman is perhaps the most unheralded of the group because he seemingly came out of nowhere from his time with the Atlanta Falcons to become one of the better linebackers in the NFL.
Adams and Ford were known commodities in their respective positions, but Landman has been a revelation. He leads the team in combined tackles with 123, is second in solo tackles with 60, forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles, defended six passes and tallied 2.5 sacks.
His 73.7 overall PFF grade is 18th among qualifiers, and his 79.4 PFF run-defense grade is 16th in that same group. Landman also places in the 81st percentile in PFF coverage grade (67.4) and in the 90th percentile in run stop rate (9.2%).
Landman’s ascent earned him a nice new contract, too.
The Rams’ ability to scout and sign talent in free agency, combined with their opportunistic trades and drafting acumen, has led to one of the most stable franchises under Snead and McVay. And it’s a big reason why L.A. is one of the leading contenders for the Super Bowl this season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 3 Rams make PFF’s top free-agent signings list
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