Nate Landman

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		53	324	4.5	2
2025		17	132	2.5	1
2024		13	81	0.0	0
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Rams secured solid value by locking up Nate Landman at $7.5M AAV, a deal that earns a B CVI and represents fair market pricing for an above-average starting linebacker. At this contract level, Landman sits in that sweet spot where his production justifies the investment without breaking the bank — he's not an elite difference-maker, but he's a reliable three-down player who can anchor the middle of a defense. The three-year term provides Los Angeles with stability at a crucial position while the $10.3M guaranteed keeps the financial risk manageable if his performance plateaus. This isn't a contract that will age poorly or handcuff the franchise, as linebacker salaries in this range typically hold their value well for competent starters. The Rams clearly identified Landman as a foundational piece worth investing in, and at $7.5M annually, they're paying appropriately for a player who should continue delivering consistent, if unspectacular, production in their defensive scheme.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Nate's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Nate Landman has carved out a legitimate starting role in Los Angeles after four seasons and 53 career games, earning a B+ grade this year. The 27-year-old linebacker has grown into one of the Rams' most reliable defensive pieces, showing steady improvement from a B in 2023 before a C dip in 2024. His bounce-back 2025 campaign represents the best football of his career and signals a player hitting his prime window. The headline number is his tackling production — 7.76 tackles per game obliterates the NFL average of 2.19 and clears the elite threshold of 7.32. His TFL rate of 0.65 per game sits above average relative to the 0.27 NFL baseline, reflecting real instincts against the run. The one area needing growth is pass rush; his 0.15 sacks per game matches the NFL average but sits well short of the elite 0.51 benchmark, limiting his value on third downs. Landman's pass defense is trending upward, with 0.35 pass deflections per game against an NFL average of 0.18, suggesting improved coverage awareness. If he can close the gap as a pass rusher and sustain this tackling dominance, a Pro Bowl conversation becomes realistic within the next two seasons. Watch for whether the Rams invest in an extension — that decision will say everything about his long-term ceiling in this defense.

How Nate Compares at the Position

Nate Landman ranks 27th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Nate between T.j. Watt (A-) just ahead and E.j. Speed (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Public perception of Nate Landman sits at a B+ sentiment grade, capturing how the Los Angeles Rams fan base and beat writers are framing his role. The narrative engine driving this positive sentiment is his three-year, $22.5 million extension—a dramatic reframing from undrafted depth piece to organizational building block—paired with Sean McVay's public backing and a compelling personal story that transcends traditional stat lines. His on-field output aligns neatly with that perception: a solid-starter profile rather than a disruptive force, anchored by 132 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception across 17 games in 2025, which keeps expectations properly calibrated and gives him room to exceed them rather than disappoint. The Rams' recent defensive acquisitions—including Pro Bowl-caliber additions on the edge and interior line—signal organizational confidence that Landman remains a cornerstone linebacker at the core of the defense, reinforcing the stability of his media narrative heading into 2026. What keeps this sentiment in the sustainable B+ range rather than overheated is the absence of Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors, positioning him as a well-regarded starter without the national prominence that typically invites scrutiny; he occupies a rare sweet spot where the franchise's commitment, measured expectations, and warm public framing all reinforce each other.