The Los Angeles Rams had to adjust to life without Aaron Donald last season after the future Hall of Famer decided to call it a career.
The future Hall of Famer had considered stepping away from football on several occasions but finally decided to go through with it after realizing his passion was no longer there.
Donald’s departure left a huge hole on the Rams defensive line, but the group more than held their own thanks to the contributions of rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Kobie Turner and Byron Young also established themselves as key pieces of the team’s future.
Rams general manager Les Snead said that it essentially took five top 100 draft picks to even somewhat replace Donald, via ESPN’s Kevin Clark:
"It took five top 100 picks to somewhat replace Aaron Donald." -Les Snead.
I asked Snead about rebuilding the Rams' defensive line after Aaron Donald left, and the early success of Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and others. Really insightful interview with Les on This Is Football. pic.twitter.com/89aH7ivsGw
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) April 1, 2025
The Rams selected Verse and Fiske in the first and second rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively, which reunited the former Florida State teammates. L.A. traded three future picks, including two second-rounders, to move up to No. 39 to take Fiske.
The Rams’ rebuilding of their defensive line began the previous year when they took Turner and Young in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Verse went on to win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, which drew a congratulatory post from Donald on social media. Fiske was a finalist for the award as well, while Turner and Young combined for 15.5 sacks.
It was difficult to lose a generational talent like Donald but the Rams are set up nicely for the future with one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.
Les Snead: Rams intend to start Coleman Shelton at center
Among the Rams’ moves in free agency was reuniting with Coleman Shelton on a two-year contract after he spent the past season with the Chicago Bears.
It was believed that Shelton would compete with Beaux Limmer for the starting job at center, but Snead said the veteran should be considered the favorite.
Shelton already has a rapport with Matthew Stafford and a lot of the other Rams’ offensive linemen, so there shouldn’t be much of a learning curve there for him.
If Shelton struggles at any point, Limmer will be ready to step into a starting role, which is a good problem for the Rams to have heading into the 2025 season.
