The Los Angeles Rams are looking to return to the playoffs after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the NFC Divisional round.
Rams senior staff writer Stu Jackson pointed out that the newest additions to the Rams defense, Poona Ford and Nate Landman, are on track to be “difference makers” after training camp sessions so far.
“The calling card of both players’ skill sets was their run-stopping ability, and that showed up often throughout camp. Landman and Ford both made their presence felt in the backfield,” Jackson wrote for The Rams website. “Coaches and teammates regularly praised Ford’s upside as a pass rusher, and the leadership and communication of Landman, so those are also some items to watch heading into the season.”
Landman joins the Rams after beginning his career with the Atlanta Falcons. Landman recorded 191 tackles over the past two seasons, including 81 tackles last season, which was the fourth most on the team — his 81 tackles would be third on the Rams.
Ford doesn’t have to travel far for his new team, as the defensive tackle last played for the Los Angeles Chargers. The D-tackle recorded 3 sacks and 39 tackles for the crosstown rival in the 2024-25 season.
Nate Landman
GettyLos Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman
The LA Rams needed someone to fill the spot of linebacker Christian Rozeboom after he signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Rozeboom led the Rams in with 135 tackles last season.
Focusing on stopping the run this offseason, the Rams brought in Landman from the NFC South.
The linebacker earned a 73.9 run defense grade for the Falcons last season, which ended the year 8-9 under (full-time) first-year coach Raheem Morris.
Landman has been wearing the green dot on his helmet through training camp, an indicator of cementing himself on the 53-man roster ahead of next season.
“He’s a stud,” Shula said of Landman, via Rams Wire. “Just like he was all through OTAs. You could see it with how physical he is, how vocal he is. And now with the pads on and the downhill runs, it’s really his game.”
Poona Ford
GettyLos Angeles Rams defensive tackle Poona Ford
Defensive tackle Poona Ford enters his 8th season in the NFL, joining the Rams across the way from the Chargers.
Signing a three-year,$27.6 million deal to stay in Los Angeles (but with another team), Poona finds himself on a stacked Rams defensive line.
In his short time getting ready for the 2025-26 season, Ford has impressed his coaches and teammates.
“You just bring in guys not only that fit the culture but that just have an elite ability to do certain things. Poona is just a force to be reckoned with in the trenches. He’s done a great job of meshing with the defense, great personality, great teammate, but that was one of the areas of emphasis from last year that we wanted to focus on this year,” Rams’ safety Quentin Lake said, via Rams Wire. “How can we do better against the run? How can we be in different coverages or personnel groups to be able to shut it down? Bringing in guys like that helps us do that a lot.”
Pro Football Focus gave Ford a 78.8 run defense grade last season, ranking 6th out of 219 qualifying defensive interiors.
With his addition, the Rams’ D-line appears to be set for a better season than last.
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