When the NFL’s players voted for the top 100 players in the league ahead of the 2026 season, one player was atop the totem pole: Myles Garrett.
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Coming off an NFL-record 23-sack campaign for the Cleveland Browns, the honor was a testament to the dominant edge rusher’s reputation across the league; an understanding that he is the most-feared talent on the field.
There’s one clear omission from that list, however.
He’s an omission that wasn’t even an option to have on the Rams as of two weeks ago. Oh, and he’s a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year – potentially more feared than Garrett across the league.
Aaron Donald returned to the Rams after two years of retirement, the final addition to the Rams’ offseason of dreams.
It wasn’t just Donald and Garrett either. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson at his disposal in the secondary – the pair of Super Bowl-winning cornerbacks bolster and revamp a room that struggled at times a year ago.
All of the pieces – Garrett, then McDuffie and Watson – led to Donald, 35, giving the NFL one last try before an eventual first-ballot Hall of Fame induction.
“You bring a guy like Myles Garrett, a generational talent, and (I was) like, ‘That can be fun,’” Donald said during his re-introductory press conference on Aug. 30. “Obviously, what they did on the back end, bringing certain pieces they need at the secondary, I think this is a complete team with me here or without me here, so for me to even have the opportunity to be a part of this, be with this team, I take nothing for granted.”
Defensive line
Starters: Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford
Backups: Braden Fiske, Ty Hamilton, Tyler Davis
Somehow, Fiske has become the odd man out. Somehow, the Rams have so much depth that Fiske – who started a career-high 16 games last season – will likely have his playing time reduced with Donald’s return.
Lucky for Fiske, Shula is known for picking and choosing matchups with his defensive linemen, making sure there’s enough playing time to go around with one of the best position groups across the NFL.
Davis was in a position last season for increased action and did well enough to be in a comfortable position as a backup for the front seven. Hamilton didn’t receive many snaps during his rookie season, but as a fifth-round selection from last season, he’s back for Year 2 with the Rams.
Outside linebacker
Starters: Myles Garrett, Byron Young
Backups: Josaiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, Wesley Bailey
Jared Verse is gone after a pair of stellar seasons with the Rams.
But there’s no way of looking at the trade, one to get Garrett in return from Cleveland, that isn’t seen as an improvement. Along with Young, who recorded a career-high 12 sacks to go along with a Pro Bowl berth, the pair should become a dynamic duo on the edge – one that, combined with the Rams’ great defensive line, should strike fear in all opponents.
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Stewart had a standout training camp and preseason – becoming a clear threat for Shula to consider heavily as a rotation option. Should Garrett or Young become unavailable, Stewart is the clear option for immediate playing time. Johnson and Bailey, the latter who emerged in the preseason to make the 53-man roster, could sporadically enter as well.
Inside linebackers
Starters: Nate Landman, Omar Speights
Backups: Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard
Landman and Speights became a formidable combination as the Rams’ inside linebackers pair last season, helping the Rams improve their run defense from 136.9 rushing yards per game (26th overall) in 2024 down to 110.1 rushing yards in 2025 (11th overall).
The Rams expect much of the same in 2026, with McVay saying that even Dolac has had an “outstanding” camp. McVay noted that Stuard, who is a special-teams weapon, is a “powerful” tackler.
With the Rams’ new depth in the secondary however, look for an extra safety to come on the field in pass coverage schemes.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson
Backups: Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Josh Wallace
During the early days of training camp at Loyola Marymount, McDuffie and Watson spoke with safety Quentin Lake about new non-verbal communication signals. The next day, the ideas that the pair of two-time Super Bowl cornerbacks created were on display during Rams practice, Lake said.
McDuffie and Watson immediately secure the Rams’ secondary in a way that should excite fans – and with the pass rush that the Rams can create with their front seven, don’t be surprised if plenty of interceptions come the duo’s way.
Forbes has continued to develop and will be used as the next man up at cornerback. His length was on full display during the joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys and their first-team unit, making numerous plays.
Safeties
Starters: Quentin Lake, Kam Curl
Backups: Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough
Lake remains the captain of the secondary – and potentially the captain of the entire defense with his outgoing demeanor and communication style. Curl has become a mainstay of the Rams’ defense, while McCollough continued to turn a corner after his four-interception rookie season.
But the name to remember is Kinchens.
Ask anyone on the Rams; Kinchens is the key breakout candidate across the defense.
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“He can be a 10-pick guy,” Lake said.