The Los Angeles Rams are among the big winners in free agency, despite not being overly active.
The Los Angeles Rams were arguably one or two plays away from being in the Super Bowl, and general manager Les Snead made it a point to correct the team's biggest issue.
The secondary was the worst unit, giving up a fourth-worst 276 passing yards per game. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold put up 346 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship, leading Snead to improve the unit in a major way, which is why the Rams are labeled a big winner in free agency.
The odd nature of being labeled a winner in free agency without much movement is that the Rams did not need to improve their roster by much.
Los Angeles got to work in trading the No. 29 overall pick and more for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Even more impressive is that the Rams also went out and got McDuffie's fellow Kansas City Chiefs teammate, Jaylen Watson.
With McDuffie and Watson in the building, the team also re-signed safety standout Kam Curl. Roger McCreary and Cobie Durant were lost to other teams, but they were replaced with proven lockdown options.
That said, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell labeled the Rams and Matthew Stafford big winners in free agency.
"The Los Angeles Rams finished a play or two short of beating the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Cornerback was the position that held them back, and the Rams went all in to fix the issue. Trading for a former All-Pro in Chiefs' Trent McDuffie and then signing his buddy Jaylen Watson was great business. Those two, plus Quentin Lake, comprise a strong trio. Kam Curl's return ensures stability on the back end behind them. Los Angeles has everything it needs to win the Super Bowl next season, which will be played at SoFi Stadium -- their home turf and the site of their last Super Bowl win that concluded the 2021 season," Podell wrote.
The Rams do have everything they need to return to the playoffs and go on a deep run. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum remain, as do Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
The strong pass rush with Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Jared Verse remains, as does the new and improved secondary.
Stafford is also coming off the best season of his career, and is expected not to lose a step. If the Super Bowl goes through Seattle, the Rams have done what is needed to ensure they do not make the same mistakes.
Snead also set up the Rams to not only be able to spend their No. 29 overall pick to land one of the best corners in the game, but there is still the No. 13 overall pick to work with.
Bolstering the offensive line or the wide receiver room is the likeliest option at No. 13 overall, which could strengthen the team even more.
With a quiet offseason, the Rams will go immediately into draft mode to help facilitate an influx of young talent that may or may not be impactful in 2026. Even if they need time to grow as rookies, the veteran talent on this team is one of the best, if not the best, in the league.