As training camp kicks into gear, one thing is already clear for the Los Angeles Rams: the defensive line is becoming the team’s new identity. With the pads finally on, the Rams’ front seven wasted no time asserting its dominance.
Monday’s padded practice revealed just how physical and overwhelming this unit could be, especially against a run-heavy offense led by Jimmy Garoppolo. “These guys are the real deal,” head coach Sean McVay said afterward, and the evidence was right in front of him.
Poona Ford’s Impact Felt Immediately At Rams Training Camp
Signed this offseason to help fix a leaky run defense that ranked 22nd in the league last year, veteran nose tackle Poona Ford has wasted no time proving his worth.
“You saw his worth today,” said fellow lineman Kobie Turner. “Just the way that he commands attention, the way that he defeats double teams.”
Ford’s ability to clog the middle, as he did during stints with the Seahawks, Bills, and most recently the Chargers, has already made him a tone-setter. On a run-focused day, Ford was a disruptive force whose name appeared in defensive notes repeatedly.
The Next Wave: Jared Verse and Tyler Davis Emerge
If Ford didn’t get to the running back first, it was usually Jared Verse—a breakout rookie who is picking up where he left off after winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season. Verse flashed explosive quickness off the edge and an ability to capitalize on the double teams Ford drew inside.
Then there’s Tyler Davis. A second-year defensive end with growing buzz, Davis turned heads in individual and team drills alike. McVay singled him out: “Tyler Davis is another guy that deserves to be mentioned, because he has really shown why he’s a total stud and guy that’s going to be a major factor for us.”
Turner echoed the praise: “T.D. [Tyler Davis] can really own the run and uphold the standard in our D-line room.”
Plug, Play, and Punish: The Los Angeles Rams’ Interchangeable Line
Turner, Verse, Ford, and Davis are just part of what’s shaping up to be one of the deepest and most versatile defensive fronts in the league. According to Turner, the key to this group’s success is flexibility—not just positionally, but in rotation.
“For me, my journey last year, I started off taking basically every snap, and once it got to third downs, I didn’t have as much juice,” Turner admitted. “But now we have guys who can hold it down like Poona, like T.D., who really uphold the standard. It keeps us fresh for pass-rush opportunities.”
The Rams have embraced a rotation that doesn’t sacrifice quality. Interchangeable parts mean consistent pressure, sustained stamina, and an ability to adjust on the fly. “We’re playing the three, the two, the shade, the five, the four—it doesn’t matter,” said Turner. “All of our guys take ownership of that.”
Depth With Teeth
Beyond the top four, the Rams have a promising mix of young players ready to keep the pressure on. Ty Hamilton, Josaiah Stewart, Brennan Jackson, and Nick Hampton all bring specific skill sets that can be deployed depending on matchup and scheme.
This depth matters—not just to cover injuries or spell starters, but to compound the fatigue on opposing offenses. “You’re seeing fresh ranks after fresh ranks attack an offensive line that’s getting more tired and more sore as the game goes on,” said one team insider.
The Mental Edge
There’s a swagger to this group. It’s not just about technique and schemes. It’s about mindset. “At any given moment,” Turner said, “you got to be ready for any one of us to strike—and that’s dangerous.”
With Donald gone, the 2025 Rams aren’t looking to find the next him. Instead, they’ve built a collaborative force—five and six deep—that can overwhelm through sheer volume, speed, and intelligence.
“They are the calm force in the storm,” one Rams staffer said. “And in 2025, they’re looking to step foot on top of football’s greatest peak.”
It’s early, but what’s forming in the trenches of Thousand Oaks may well be the foundation for the Rams’ return to contention. And if this defensive line keeps ascending, it’s not hard to imagine them leading the charge.
