The Los Angeles Rams, once known for adding many high-profile players via trades, have a nice combination of acquired and homegrown players heading into 2025.
Some of these stars are well-known in the league, like Matthew Stafford, Jared Verse, Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. However, there are some stars that aren’t nearly as heralded across the league.
Pro Football Focus’ Jonathon Macri went through the most underrated players on every NFL team ahead of the 2025 season and wrote that Rams’ offensive tackle Alaric Jackson deserves more recognition in the future.
“Jackson was a 2021 undrafted free agent, so his emergence as a 1,000-plus-snap player in 2023 probably wasn’t viewed as an ideal path for the Rams, considering past contributors at the position, Andrew Whitworth and Joe Noteboom.
“While Jackson had his ups and downs in 2023 as a first-time starter, he really came into his own in 2024, delivering a 78.4 PFF overall grade, which ranked 18th at the position, while leading the team in PFF pass-blocking grade (79.2). He ranked 22nd in PFF pass-blocking grade among all offensive tackles in 2024 while playing more than 1,000 snaps for the second straight season — way more mileage than any team can expect to get out of a former UDFA offensive lineman.”
The Rams certainly liked Jackson enough to give him a three-year deal worth up to $57 million. He and right tackle Rob Havenstein will be the veteran anchors on the Rams’ line tasked with keeping Stafford upright and healthy as L.A. defends its NFC West title.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Former undrafted free agent named Rams most underrated player
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
