Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is finally here, and with it comes no shortage of intrigue for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.
Every team begins with optimism, but expectations rarely match reality once the pads start popping.
That’s why projections and power rankings matter — they help set the bar, offering both a warning and a dose of hope for what lies ahead.
This year’s landscape feels particularly wide open. New quarterbacks are stepping into starting roles, defensive stars are ready to announce themselves on the national stage, and several franchises believe they’ve built championship-caliber rosters. At the same time, others face uphill climbs with tough schedules and lingering injury concerns.
Where the Rams Stand
Sitting at No. 8 in ESPN preseason power rankings, the Rams find themselves in an interesting spot. Optimism is high after one of the team’s most aggressive offseasons in years, but lingering health concerns could dictate how far this roster can actually go.
“Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s back injury could derail things, but the Rams have constructed one of their best rosters in several years,” ESPN’s Mike Clay wrote Sunday. “They struck gold with edge rusher Jared Verse, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and we know they’re well-coached under Sean McVay. On offense, they replaced wide receiver Cooper Kupp with Davante Adams, who tied for 15th in ESPN’s open receiver score last season.”
The back injury that sidelined Stafford for much of training camp remains the elephant in the room. Without him, Los Angeles does not have the same ceiling. McVay insists the veteran passer is on track for Week 1, but if that back issue resurfaces, it could undo much of the careful roster building done over the past several months.
Still, there’s reason for genuine excitement. The franchise struck gold in last year’s draft by landing edge rusher Jared Verse, who walked away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Replacing Kupp was never going to be easy, but Los Angeles did it in the boldest way possible. Enter Adams, still one of the league’s most complete wideouts and a nightmare to defend one-on-one.
Pair him with Kyren Williams, who earned a contract extension after emerging as one of the NFL’s most productive young backs, and suddenly the Rams look like they can score with anyone.
Defense Banking on Growth
The defensive side of the ball carries its own intrigue. The Rams lost experience in their secondary, but they’ve doubled down on youth and upside up front. Verse leads the way, but he’s far from alone. Nate Landman and Poona Ford were brought in to fortify the middle, giving this group more balance than it had a year ago.
Power rankings aren’t gospel, but landing in the top ten shows how much respect the Rams have earned leaguewide. They are seen as a team with enough star talent, coaching stability, and upside to make a legitimate push for the postseason.
The path forward won’t be simple. The NFC West remains unforgiving with the 49ers, Seahawks, and Cardinals all boasting improved rosters. But Los Angeles has balance, and if Stafford stays healthy, this group has the look of a playoff lock — and maybe more.
The beauty of Week 1 is that everything remains on the table. For the Rams, expectations are as high as they’ve been in years after falling just a Jalen Carter pressure away from a potential Super Bowl run last year. Now it’s about proving they belong in the conversation when the calendar turns to January.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rams Get Notable ESPN Top-10 Preseason Power Ranking appeared first on Heavy Sports.