Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman has been pegged as the team's "X-factor" for the 2026 season.
The Los Angeles Rams boast a defense that is full of All-Pro talent, from defensive end Myles Garrett to safety Quentin Lake, and beyond. While the focus has been on Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald, there is one player who has surprisingly been picked over them as the "X-factor" for the 2026 season.
Linebacker Nate Landman is being viewed as one of the important pieces of this Rams defense, and it's due to his ability to play in coverage and stop surging tight ends from having strong catch and run abilities.
It makes sense for Landman to be viewed in this manner, as he has emerged as a strong competitor through just one season in Los Angeles. After spending three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, the linebacker came in and worked his way into a three-year extension after just one season.
Landman ended the 2025 season with one interception, six passes defended, four forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and 132 total tackles. Despite such a big season, he was not named to the Pro Bowl.
Now, Landman should see another surge in 2026, and ESPN's Ben Solak has named the linebacker as the Rams' "X-factor."
"In an effort to hide from the Rams' pass rush and avoid their new cornerbacks room, I expect offenses to get the ball out quickly to backs and tight ends -- a passing attack that will challenge Landman in coverage and force him to tackle in space. Another avenue to attack this loaded Rams' defense: get in heavy personnel and run the air out of the ball. Again, Landman will be the first line of defense for finding run stops and TFLs to give his pass rush opportunities to shine," Solak wrote.
Landman will be the player who not only has to have authority over the middle of the field, but his ability to snuff big runs and stop them at the line of scrimmage will also be important in allowing the pass rushers to get to the quarterbacks.
Additionally, stopping tight ends will be ultra-important, especially for the playmakers that exist in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers have All-Pro George Kittle, who is arguably the best at his position.
With the Week 1 showdown between the Rams and 49ers looming, Landman will presumably be called on to stop Kittle from engaging in catch-and-runs.
The Arizona Cardinals also have Trey McBride, and the Seattle Seahawks have AJ Barner, along with other teams that also boast some strong tight ends.
Los Angeles is also a team that showed how using 13-personnel worked well in 2025, which could lead to many teams attempting to mimic that style of offense in 2026. If that is the case, having a strong linebacker corps will be even more important.
Landman is also on a defense that brought in way more talent, and all of those additional players can help to elevate one another in a significant way. If both Donald and Garrett are being double-teamed, that leaves more opportunities for Landman and the linebackers to also get after the quarterback.
