Poona Ford

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		118	13.5	277	42
2025		17	2.0	47	7.5
2024		17	3.0	39	8.5
2023		8

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The C- Contract Value Index on Poona Ford's deal stems from how the cap hit lines up against on-field output. At $9.2M AAV over three years, Ford's salary reflects a veteran interior defender in the $8M-$12M market band — reasonable for a rotational starter, but the CVI dips because his 2025 production (47 tackles, 2 sacks across 17 games) is solid starter-level work, not the impact-play volume that justifies premium money at the position. Ford is 30 and eight seasons into his career, operating squarely in the established veteran window where you're paying for reliability and locker-room presence rather than upside; his 13.5 career sacks reflect a respectable depth contributor, not a disruptive edge threat. The Rams' recent defensive acquisitions — notably the Myles Garrett trade in early June and the additions of Time Kennan III and Tomon Fox — signal an aggressive push to elevate the front four, which paradoxically makes Ford's value harder to defend: he's a capable rotational piece, but the team's draft capital expenditure and high-profile signings suggest internal acknowledgment that incremental production at his salary level isn't moving the needle. Ford's media narrative is quietly favorable — a consummate professional whose graceful handling of the jersey-number situation with Garrett reinforced his standing as a team-first contributor — but that goodwill doesn't materially alter the fundamental equation: three years at $9.2M for a below-the-line rotational defender in a defensive-line-heavy rebuild plan represents adequate-to-slight overpay.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

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

Performance Analysis

Poona Ford is an eight-year veteran defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams who remains a reliable interior anchor despite a notable decline in 2025. The 30-year-old has logged 118 career games and holds a current performance grade of B, though his trajectory has dipped from C+ last season to a C this year. Ford occupies a steady rotational role in Los Angeles's defensive line, functioning as a space-eater and run-stuffing complement rather than a sack-specialist. Ford's tackle production stands out as his primary strength, averaging 2.76 per game—well above the NFL average of 1.82 and demonstrating his ability to flow to the ball consistently. His tackles for loss also exceed league benchmarks at 0.44 per game versus 0.27 average, underscoring his disruptive presence in the backfield. However, his pass-rush impact has stalled: 0.12 sacks per game trails the NFL average of 0.14, while 0.29 QB hits per game matches the median, suggesting Ford lacks the elite get-off and first-step quickness required at the highest level. The concerning trend is Ford's downward performance arc over the past three seasons, sliding from D+ in 2023 through C+ in 2024 to his current C grade. At 30 years old and entering the declining phase of his career, Ford faces questions about whether he can stabilize as a starter-caliber run defender or transition into a backup role. The Rams should monitor his snap count distribution next season; continued reliance on him as a primary gap-filler suggests confidence in his run-stopping acumen, but further regression could prompt a roster pivot.

How Poona Compares at the Position

Poona Ford ranks 42nd of 216 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots Poona between Walter Nolen Iii (B) just ahead and Bryan Bresee (B) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Poona Ford draws a B sentiment grade as the Los Angeles Rams narrative reflects his on-field role as a respected veteran interior defender whose recent visibility has done nothing but reinforce a positive public image. Media framing consistently positions him as a consummate professional whose steady contributions and work ethic have earned genuine respect within the league — a locker-room presence willing to accommodate franchise priorities, as evidenced by his gracious handling of the Myles Garrett jersey-number situation that dominated recent headlines. Ford's on-field profile, which produced 47 tackles and 2 sacks across 17 games in 2025, aligns squarely with his performance grade and the media's characterization of him as a reliable rotational piece rather than a headline-generating star; his 13.5 career sacks and eight years of NFL experience command legitimate league respect despite his supporting-cast role. The Rams' aggressive offseason moves — particularly the Garrett trade in early June — have inadvertently elevated Ford's standing by casting him as the kind of team-first contributor willing to step aside for the marquee acquisition, a narrative that carries symbolic weight beyond his defensive statistics. Bottom line: Ford sits in a quietly favorable perception lane — uncontroversial, appreciated by the media for his professionalism, and benefiting from circumstantial goodwill generated by his handling of the Garrett transition rather than any recent on-field explosion.