Myles Garrett has not taken a regular-season snap for the Los Angeles Rams yet, but the league has already handed him a major stamp of approval.
ESPN slotted Garrett at No. 1 in its rankings of the NFL’s top 100 players for the 2026 season, putting the Rams star ahead of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It’s the first time a defender has owned the top spot on the list since Aaron Donald in 2019.
For Los Angeles, it’s another loud reminder of just how much the Rams gave up to land him.
Garrett earned the distinction after finishing his final season with the Cleveland Browns with an NFL-record 23 sacks and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Rams acquired him in June, sending Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-round selection to Cleveland.
That kind of price tag only makes sense for a player this disruptive. ESPN’s ranking only sharpened that point, especially considering Garrett became just the third reigning Defensive Player of the Year to switch teams the following season. Dana Stubblefield and Deion Sanders were the others, though both moved as free agents.
The Rams were clearly betting big on impact.
“[Garrett] affects every time you drop back to throw the football,” Matthew Stafford told ESPN.
Kam Curl went even further.
“He’s an alien,” Curl said. “He can do whatever he wants to do, and the offense can’t do anything about it.”
And Garrett won’t be lining up by himself. Aaron Donald has come out of retirement, giving the Rams two of the most accomplished defensive linemen of this generation.
Donald was not eligible for ESPN’s ranking because his comeback came after voting had already closed, but Los Angeles still managed to place Garrett at No. 1, Puka Nacua at No. 6 and Stafford at No. 9.
So the Rams didn’t just stockpile three players in the top 10. They also added an unranked force who is an eight-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
That’s why Garrett’s No. 1 spot lands with so much weight - and why this Rams front looks so intimidating on paper.
In Other News...
Rams Just Sent A Clear Message About Who Leads This Team
Leadership in Los Angeles now has a much broader cast. The Rams named a record 11 team captains for the 2026 season, and the group says plenty about where the organization wants its authority to live: with established veterans, trusted voices and the players expected to set the tone every week. Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Tyler Higbee, Coleman Shelton, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner, Nate Landman, Quentin Lake, Trent McDuffie and Joe Cardona make up the list, giving the roster a mix of offensive, defensive and special teams anchors.
The most notable twist is the arrival of Garrett and McDuffie into that leadership circle after recent trades and acquisitions, a sign that the Rams are not waiting for newcomers to settle in before handing them real responsibility. For a team that has leaned heavily on veteran presence in recent years, expanding the captain group this far feels less like a formality and more like a statement about how the locker room is being organized heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Left Themselves Dangerously Thin Where They Could Least Afford It
The Rams went into roster cuts with a little room to maneuver at wide receiver and tight end, but not nearly as much margin at cornerback. By carrying only four cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster, they made a clear choice about where they wanted their depth to live, and it was not in the one spot where injuries and matchups can turn a secondary upside down in a hurry. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson remain key pieces at the position, but the overall numbers leave little cushion behind them.
For a defense that has to survive a long season against varied passing attacks, the balance looks precarious. Los Angeles waived other coverage options and may have to lean on the practice squad to patch holes if the cornerback room gets tested, which is exactly the kind of scenario teams try to avoid when setting their opening roster. The concern is not just talent, but how quickly the Rams could be forced to reshuffle if the position takes even a modest hit. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Face An Unusual Roster Problem Before Their Australia Opener
Before the Rams even get to worry about the 49ers on the field, there is the unusual business of getting everyone on the plane for Australia. The season opener will be played overseas, which means passports are not a side detail but part of the roster math, and both teams have had to spend real time making sure travel documents are in order for a trip unlike anything they see during a normal NFL season.
John Lynch described the process as a logistical grind, especially when it comes to new practice squad players who may still need passports and visas sorted out. For Los Angeles, the challenge is the same one facing San Francisco: the longest road trip in league history is also one of the most complicated, and the work behind the scenes has already started well before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]