Although free agency doesn’t start for another two and a half months, the Rams’ front office is undoubtedly looking ahead to the offseason already. Los Angeles’ free-agent class may not be as strong as it has been in recent years, but there are still some key players set to hit the market in 2025.
Among them is left tackle Alaric Jackson, who signed a one-year restricted free-agent tender this offseason to remain with the Rams for another season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in March, allowing him to fully explore the market and cash in with what’s likely to be a lucrative long-term deal – either with the Rams or another team.
Jackson should be the Rams’ top priority in free agency, which is exactly how Pro Football Focus sees it. PFF released its early list of the top 50 free agents of 2025 and Jackson is the only player from Los Angeles’ roster to make the cut. He came in at No. 46, with his top free-agent comparison being Jared Veldheer in 2014.
The former undrafted free agent out of Iowa has settled in quite nicely over the past few years protecting the blindside of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, with a career year across the board in 2024 coming at just the right time.
Jackson has climbed his way up the depth chart since coming into the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Iowa. He’s been the Rams’ starting left tackle for the last two seasons and he’s really taken a positive step in 2024. He’s allowed only 20 pressures and three sacks in 466 pass-blocking snaps, earning a pass-blocking grade of 79.2 and an overall grade of 79.0.
If the Rams don’t sign him to an extension, another team will pay him handsomely to be their left tackle.