The NFL landscape just got a whole lot scarier on June 1, with the Los Angeles Rams pulling off a blockbuster trade for edge-rusher Myles Garrett. General manager Les Snead didn't just add a player; he shook things up, sending Jared Verse and multiple draft picks to get Garrett, a move that's gonna force every offensive coordinator to rethink their game plan for this new-look Rams defensive front.
The Rams Defense Just Got Absolutely Stacked
Garrett's arrival is huge because he commands double teams. That's gonna open up massive opportunities for guys like Pro Bowler Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske, who are already young, productive players on that front line. And get this: the move for Garrett might actually bring Aaron Donald out of retirement! If that happens, you're talking about a front line that could go down as the best in recent history, with two players who've combined for five Defensive Player of the Year honors. Seriously, can you even imagine? Beyond the pass rush, the Rams also double-dipped on cornerback help, bringing in Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs and signing Jaylen Watson, who also spent the last four years with the Chiefs. McDuffie, an All-Pro, brings incredible inside-outside versatility. Coach Sean McVay said he lined up "all over" the secondary in earlier sessions, though he'll likely be mostly on the outside. Watson is a pure boundary cover man who's been locking guys down, allowing passer ratings below 80 in his last two campaigns and snagging two interceptions in 2025. These two are massive upgrades over the previous perimeter trio of Cobie Durant, Darious Williams, and Emmanuel Forbes.Carolina's Got a New Vibe on Defense, Too
But it's not just LA making big moves. The Carolina Panthers went out and grabbed some serious talent, too. They landed Lee Hunter in the second round of the draft, a 6'3", 318-pound defensive tackle who can shoot gaps and make plays behind the line of scrimmage, especially against the run. He racked up 32 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in his four collegiate terms. Pair him with Derrick Brown, and you've got a game-wrecking duo on the interior. Then they went after the top talent in free agency, signing inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips to the biggest contracts at their respective positions, according to Spotrac. Lloyd is coming off his first Pro Bowl season and made the second-team All-Pro list last year. The guy is a three-down defender who can make game-changing plays, with 81 tackles, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown!), and seven pass breakups in 2025. Phillips, who got traded from the Dolphins to the Eagles before the 2025 deadline, finished last season with 53 tackles, five sacks, 35 pressures, and four pass breakups. That's consistent production! The Panthers didn't have anyone with more than five sacks last season, so a healthy Phillips, at 27 years old, could finally break into double digits. These teams just loaded up on defense, setting themselves up for what could be some seriously dominant units. With training camps on the horizon, the rest of the league needs to take note. The fight for those crucial stops is about to get intense, and these new-look defenses are ready to make some noise.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.