For as much star power as there is on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster, there are also plenty of underrated players wearing horns, too. Poona Ford certainly falls under the underrated category, primarily because of the position he plays.
The Rams’ starting nose tackle made a big impact in his first season with the team, not only improving the run defense, but providing a major lift as a pass rusher, too. He’s a short, squatty defender who uses leverage to his advantage, but he’s also incredibly tough to move off the spot because of the power he possesses.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger broke down Ford’s game in a new video, heaping praise on him as an underrated playmaker for Los Angeles.
“This is an undrafted guy going into his ninth year. You know why he’s still in the league? Because you can’t block him,” Baldinger said. “He’s a tower of power. Jalen Sundell, like, this is unfair to Jalen right here when Poona’s in that position, grabbing his wrist and clubbing him and widening Kenneth Walker III to where he’s got nowhere to go.”
On the very next play in Baldinger’s cutup, he showed Ford hitting the right guard with an Aaron Donald-like swim move to get into the backfield in a flash for the sack.
Ford was one of the best run stoppers in the NFL last season, ranking fifth among interior defensive linemen with a grade of 78.6 in that department from Pro Football Focus. His 34 pressures were also 27th among interior defenders, which includes players who had far more opportunities to rush the passer.
Signing him in free agency last year was a terrific decision by the Rams, and his play in 2025 showed why he’s a bargain for L.A.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Brian Baldinger heaps praise on underrated Rams D-lineman in film breakdown
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire | USA TODAY Network
