Best Los Angeles Rams Players of All-Time starts with Aaron Donald, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson — and that top tier is absolutely loaded. Donald is one of the greatest defensive players ever. Olsen and Jones helped define old-school Rams defense. Faulk powered the Greatest Show on Turf. Dickerson gave the franchise one of the greatest running back peaks in NFL history.
The Rams’ all-time list is tricky because the franchise history stretches across Cleveland, Los Angeles, St. Louis and back to Los Angeles. This ranking treats it as one Rams franchise history, while still focusing on what each player did in Rams colors.
This is a tier list, not a strict 1-through-44 ranking. The tiers are ranked, but the players inside the same tier are grouped in the same all-time legacy range rather than ordered from best to worst. The ranking weighs peak dominance, Rams production, awards, longevity, championships, playoff impact, franchise records and how strongly each player shaped Rams football.
Table of Contents
- How We Ranked the Best Los Angeles Rams Players of All-Time
- Cleveland, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Rams Franchise History
- Tier 7: Important Rams Legends and Memorable Franchise Pieces
- Tier 6: Top Rams With Strong Careers
- Tier 5: Rams Franchise Greats
- Tier 4: Great Rams With Major Cases
- Tier 3: Elite Rams Legends
- Tier 2: Inner-Circle Rams Greats
- Tier 1: Greatest Los Angeles Rams Players Ever
- Full Tier List Table
- More NFC West All-Time Player Rankings
- NFL Team All-Time Player Rankings Hub
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More NFL All-Time Player Rankings
How We Ranked the Best Los Angeles Rams Players of All-Time
This ranking weighs each player’s Rams career first. Full-career greatness matters as context, but Rams impact comes first. Jalen Ramsey’s non-Rams chapters do not change what he did in Los Angeles. Jared Goff’s post-Rams success does not change his Rams value. Cooper Kupp’s Rams legacy is built on what he did with the franchise, especially his historic 2021 season and Super Bowl LVI MVP run.
The tiers are the main ranking structure. Tier 1 is above Tier 2, Tier 2 is above Tier 3 and so on. Inside each tier, the names are grouped together in the same general legacy range. That means Aaron Donald, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson are all Tier 1 players, but the list is not trying to split every small difference between players within that same tier.
The list values peak dominance, franchise production, awards, longevity, postseason impact, championships, era context and how much each player shaped Rams football. A shorter peak can still rank highly if it was historic. A long, durable Rams career can also matter even without a massive national spotlight.
Cleveland, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Rams Franchise History
The Rams have one of the more complicated franchise histories in the NFL. They have played in Cleveland, Los Angeles, St. Louis and then Los Angeles again. This article uses the current Los Angeles Rams name for title and search clarity, but the ranking covers the full Rams franchise.
That is why St. Louis Rams legends like Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Orlando Pace belong on a Los Angeles Rams all-time list. They played for the same Rams franchise, even if their greatest seasons happened while the team was based in St. Louis.
In other words, this is not only a ranking of players from the current Los Angeles era. It is a full Rams franchise tier list using the current team name.
Tier 7: Important Rams Legends and Memorable Franchise Pieces
Tier 7 includes Jalen Ramsey, Jared Goff, Jack Snow, Dave Elmendorf, Jerry Gray, Ken Iman, and Kevin Greene.
Tier 7 still has real Rams value. This group includes a Super Bowl champion cornerback, a Super Bowl quarterback, old-school starters, offensive line stability and one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers during his Rams chapter.
Jalen Ramsey
Rams Stats & Accolades: 4 seasons with the Rams, Super Bowl LVI champion, multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections as a Ram.
Jalen Ramsey gave Sean McVay’s team a true shutdown corner and helped complete a championship defense. His ability to play outside, inside, in matchup roles and near the line of scrimmage gave Los Angeles rare defensive flexibility.
Ramsey’s Rams tenure was not long enough to rank higher, but the peak was elite. His versatility, confidence, tackling and coverage ability made him one of the most important defenders on the Super Bowl LVI roster.
Jared Goff
Rams Stats & Accolades: 5 seasons with the Rams, 18,171 passing yards, 107 touchdown passes, 2 Pro Bowls, Super Bowl LIII starter.
Jared Goff helped bring the Rams back to relevance after the franchise returned to Los Angeles. Under Sean McVay, he became a Pro Bowl quarterback and led one of the NFL’s best offenses in 2017 and 2018.
For the Rams, his legacy is about the quick turnaround, the 2018 NFC title and helping reset the franchise’s modern identity. The ending was complicated, but the Rams chapter was still important.
Jack Snow
Rams Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with the Rams, 6,012 receiving yards, 45 receiving touchdowns, 1967 Pro Bowl selection.
Jack Snow was one of the Rams’ key receiving threats of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He gave the offense size, downfield ability and long-term consistency.
His chemistry with Roman Gabriel made him a major part of that era. Snow remains one of the franchise’s important pre-modern passing-game names.
Dave Elmendorf
Rams Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with the Rams, 27 interceptions, Pro Bowl safety, longtime defensive back.
Dave Elmendorf was one of the steady defensive backs on strong 1970s Rams teams. He played safety with intelligence, toughness and enough ball production to stay in the franchise conversation.
He was part of an era when the Rams were consistently competitive. Elmendorf’s reliability keeps him on the board.
Jerry Gray
Rams Stats & Accolades: 7 seasons with the Rams, 22 interceptions, 4 Pro Bowls, standout cornerback of the late 1980s.
Jerry Gray gave the Rams high-level cornerback play during the late 1980s. He was athletic, productive and respected enough to make four straight Pro Bowls.
That peak is hard to ignore. Gray later became known as a coach too, but his playing career with the Rams was strong on its own.
Ken Iman
Rams Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with the Rams, longtime center, key blocker of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Ken Iman gave the Rams stability in the middle of the offensive line. Centers rarely become headline names, but they are essential to long-term offensive structure.
Iman played through a strong Rams era and helped keep the offense organized. His longevity earns him a spot in Tier 7.
Kevin Greene
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, 72.5 sacks as a Ram, 2 Pro Bowls with the franchise, Pro Football Hall of Fame full-career résumé.
Kevin Greene became one of the NFL’s great pass rushers, and the Rams got the first major chapter. He brought energy, speed and relentless edge pressure.
His full Hall of Fame résumé includes other teams, but the Rams portion was still excellent. Greene’s sack production makes him one of the best edge players in franchise history.
Tier 6: Top Rams With Strong Careers
Tier 6 includes Fred Dryer, Charlie Cowan, Tom Newberry, Maxie Baughan, Rich Saul, Doug Smith, and Marc Bulger.
Tier 6 leans into toughness, line play and long-term franchise value. There are multiple offensive linemen here, plus a productive quarterback and defensive standouts from several eras.
Fred Dryer
Rams Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with the Rams, Pro Bowl defensive end, unofficial sack production and longtime starter.
Fred Dryer was a tough defensive end who gave the Rams pass-rush value through the 1970s. He played with size, attitude and enough consistency to become one of the better defenders of that era.
Dryer is also remembered beyond football, but his Rams career deserves its own respect. He was a real defensive contributor before official sack totals captured everything clearly.
Charlie Cowan
Rams Stats & Accolades: 15 seasons with the Rams, 3 Pro Bowls, longtime offensive tackle.
Charlie Cowan was one of the Rams’ most durable offensive linemen. Playing 15 seasons with one franchise as a tackle is a serious achievement.
He gave the Rams long-term edge protection and run-game toughness through a major era of the franchise. Cowan’s consistency is his case.
Tom Newberry
Rams Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with the Rams, 2 Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro guard.
Tom Newberry was one of the Rams’ better interior linemen of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He brought power, technique and steady guard play.
His peak was strong enough to earn All-Pro recognition, and his decade with the franchise gives him real longevity value.
Maxie Baughan
Rams Stats & Accolades: 5 seasons with the Rams, multiple Pro Bowls as a Ram, standout linebacker of the late 1960s.
Maxie Baughan’s Rams run was not his only great NFL chapter, but it was strong. He brought leadership, tackling and high-level linebacker play to Los Angeles.
The shorter tenure keeps him lower than some names, but the quality of his Rams seasons belongs on this list.
Rich Saul
Rams Stats & Accolades: 12 seasons with the Rams, 6 Pro Bowls, longtime center.
Rich Saul was a key interior blocker for the Rams through the 1970s. Centers like him helped keep the offense stable during a period when the team was constantly competitive.
Six Pro Bowls is a strong résumé. Saul deserves more recognition in Rams offensive line history.
Doug Smith
Rams Stats & Accolades: 14 seasons with the Rams, 6 Pro Bowls, longtime center.
Doug Smith gave the Rams another long, high-level run at center. His durability and consistency helped him become one of the franchise’s most trusted offensive linemen.
Like many centers, Smith was not always a national headline. Inside a franchise ranking, though, 14 seasons and six Pro Bowls are impossible to ignore.
Marc Bulger
Rams Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with the Rams, 22,814 passing yards, 122 touchdown passes, 2 Pro Bowls.
Marc Bulger took over after the Kurt Warner peak and gave the Rams productive quarterback play for several seasons. He was accurate, calm and a strong fit for the passing offense when healthy.
The team declined around him, which makes his later years harder to judge. Bulger’s best Rams seasons were still good enough to keep him among the franchise’s notable quarterbacks.
Tier 5: Rams Franchise Greats
Tier 5 includes Todd Gurley, Jim Everett, Tom Fears, Nolan Cromwell, Les Richter, Larry Brooks, and Adam Timmerman.
Tier 5 has a lot of peak value. Todd Gurley’s prime was short but brilliant, Everett gave the Rams major quarterback production, and several old-school or trench players here carried strong franchise résumés.
Todd Gurley
Rams Stats & Accolades: 5 seasons with the Rams, 5,404 rushing yards, 58 rushing touchdowns, 2017 Offensive Player of the Year, multiple All-Pro selections.
Todd Gurley’s Rams peak was one of the best running back stretches of the modern era. In 2017 and 2018, he was the engine of Sean McVay’s offense and one of the most dangerous touchdown scorers in football.
The knee issues shortened the prime, which keeps him from climbing higher. But the peak was elite, and his role in the Rams’ Super Bowl LIII run matters.
Jim Everett
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, 23,758 passing yards, 142 touchdown passes, Pro Bowl quarterback.
Jim Everett was one of the Rams’ most productive quarterbacks. He had a strong arm, put up big passing seasons and helped keep the Rams relevant in the late 1980s.
His 1989 season helped push Los Angeles to the NFC Championship Game. Everett’s career had ups and downs, but the Rams production was real.
Tom Fears
Rams Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with the Rams, 400 receptions, 5,397 receiving yards, 38 touchdowns, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tom Fears was one of the great receivers of the Rams’ early passing era. He was a technician, a reliable target and a major piece of the 1951 championship team.
His numbers need era context. For his time, Fears was highly productive and helped make the Rams one of football’s most dangerous offenses.
Nolan Cromwell
Rams Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with the Rams, 37 interceptions, 4 Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections.
Nolan Cromwell was one of the best defensive backs in Rams history. He had range, toughness and enough athletic ability to make plays all over the secondary.
Cromwell’s peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s was excellent. He remains one of the franchise’s strongest safety cases.
Les Richter
Rams Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with the Rams, 8 Pro Bowls, linebacker and kicker, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Les Richter was an old-school two-role player who brought linebacker toughness and kicking value. That kind of résumé is hard to compare to modern football, but it was extremely valuable in his era.
Eight Pro Bowls show how respected he was. Richter belongs in the Rams’ historical conversation because he was a major player before the modern NFL took shape.
Larry Brooks
Rams Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with the Rams, 5 Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, key defensive tackle.
Larry Brooks was a standout defensive tackle during a strong Rams defensive era. Playing alongside great Rams defenders, he still built his own excellent résumé.
Interior linemen can get lost historically, but Brooks had the production, honors and longevity to stay on this list.
Adam Timmerman
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, Super Bowl XXXIV champion, Pro Bowl guard, key blocker for the Greatest Show on Turf.
Adam Timmerman helped give the Greatest Show on Turf its interior toughness. The Rams had speed everywhere, but the offense still needed guards who could protect and keep timing clean.
Timmerman did that at a high level. His work in the Super Bowl XXXIV season gives him championship weight.
Tier 4: Great Rams With Major Cases
Tier 4 includes Norm Van Brocklin, Roman Gabriel, Lawrence McCutcheon, Cooper Kupp, Leroy Irvin, and Steven Jackson.
Tier 4 has franchise quarterbacks, record-setting backs, a Super Bowl MVP receiver and defensive back production. This is where Rams history starts to feel especially deep.
Norm Van Brocklin
Rams Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with the Rams, 1951 NFL champion, Hall of Fame quarterback, still holder of the single-game passing yards record.
Norm Van Brocklin was one of the great quarterbacks of the Rams’ early passing era. His arm talent and aggression helped define a wide-open offense before the modern passing game fully arrived.
His 554-yard passing game remains one of the most famous quarterback records in football. Van Brocklin’s Rams years were historically important.
Roman Gabriel
Rams Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with the Rams, 22,223 passing yards, 154 touchdown passes, 1969 NFL MVP.
Roman Gabriel was one of the strongest and most productive quarterbacks in Rams history. He gave Los Angeles a powerful passer during a rugged era.
His 1969 MVP season remains one of the best individual quarterback seasons in franchise history. Gabriel’s Rams résumé is strong even without a Super Bowl ring.
Lawrence McCutcheon
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, 6,186 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, 5 Pro Bowls.
Lawrence McCutcheon was one of the Rams’ best running backs before Eric Dickerson arrived. He was productive, consistent and a key part of strong 1970s teams.
Five Pro Bowls make the case clear. McCutcheon deserves more credit in the franchise’s crowded running back history.
Cooper Kupp
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, 634 receptions, 7,776 receiving yards, 57 touchdowns, 2021 Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl LVI MVP.
Cooper Kupp’s Rams legacy is built around one of the greatest wide receiver seasons ever. In 2021, he won the receiving triple crown, earned Offensive Player of the Year and finished the postseason as Super Bowl MVP.
That peak is legendary. Kupp was not just productive; he was the player Matthew Stafford trusted on the biggest downs of the championship run, including the final touchdown drive of Super Bowl LVI.
Leroy Irvin
Rams Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with the Rams, 34 interceptions, 2 Pro Bowls, dangerous return ability.
Leroy Irvin was one of the Rams’ best defensive backs of the 1980s. He could cover, create turnovers and help in the return game.
His interception production keeps him high on the franchise defensive back list. Irvin was a true playmaker.
Steven Jackson
Rams Stats & Accolades: Franchise-record 10,138 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns, 3 Pro Bowls, longtime offensive centerpiece.
Steven Jackson is the Rams’ all-time rushing leader. He carried the offense through some difficult years and still kept producing at a high level.
Jackson did not get the team success Faulk or Dickerson had in Rams colors, but his durability, power, receiving ability and consistency make him one of the franchise’s greatest backs.
Tier 3: Elite Rams Legends
Tier 3 includes Jackie Slater, Isiah Robertson, Tom Mack, Eddie Meador, Elroy Hirsch, and Bob Waterfield.
Tier 3 is packed with Hall of Fame talent, old-school greatness and Rams lifers. This group is a reminder that Rams history goes far beyond the modern Los Angeles era.
Jackie Slater
Rams Stats & Accolades: 20 seasons with the Rams, 7 Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle.
Jackie Slater spent 20 seasons with the Rams, which is almost impossible for an offensive lineman. His longevity alone is historic.
He was not just hanging around, either. Slater was a high-level tackle for years and became one of the franchise’s greatest examples of durability and professionalism. He belongs in any serious best offensive linemen of all-time discussion.
Isiah Robertson
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, 6 Pro Bowls, 1971 Defensive Rookie of the Year, standout linebacker.
Isiah Robertson gave the Rams explosive linebacker play in the 1970s. He could run, hit, cover and make big plays from the second level.
His peak was excellent, and his Pro Bowl count shows how respected he was in his era. Robertson belongs high among Rams defenders.
Tom Mack
Rams Stats & Accolades: 13 seasons with the Rams, 11 Pro Bowls, Pro Football Hall of Fame guard.
Tom Mack is one of the greatest offensive linemen in Rams history. Eleven Pro Bowls from guard is a massive résumé.
He gave the Rams elite interior line play for more than a decade. Mack’s consistency and Hall of Fame status make him an easy Tier 3 selection and a natural fit for the best offensive linemen of all-time conversation.
Eddie Meador
Rams Stats & Accolades: 12 seasons with the Rams, 46 interceptions, 6 Pro Bowls, longtime defensive back.
Eddie Meador was one of the best defensive backs in Rams history. He had ball skills, toughness and enough versatility to handle multiple roles in the secondary.
His 46 interceptions remain one of the strongest defensive résumés in franchise history. Meador was a major piece of the Rams’ old-school defense.
Elroy Hirsch
Rams Stats & Accolades: 9 seasons with the Rams, 1951 NFL champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver.
Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch was one of the NFL’s early big-play receiving stars. He brought speed, style and explosiveness to the Rams’ passing game.
His 1951 season was legendary for its era. Hirsch helped make the Rams one of football’s most exciting offensive teams.
Bob Waterfield
Rams Stats & Accolades: 8 seasons with the Rams, 2 NFL championships, 1945 NFL MVP, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback.
Bob Waterfield was a true old-school football star: quarterback, kicker, punter and leader. His 1945 rookie season ended with a championship and MVP-level recognition.
Waterfield’s era is difficult to compare to modern quarterback play, but his place in Rams history is secure. He was one of the franchise’s first great players.
Tier 2: Inner-Circle Rams Greats
Tier 2 includes Matthew Stafford, Kurt Warner, Torry Holt, Jack Youngblood, Isaac Bruce, and Orlando Pace.
Tier 2 would be a top tier for a lot of NFL teams. It has Super Bowl quarterbacks, Greatest Show on Turf icons, a legendary pass rusher, the franchise receiving king and a Hall of Fame left tackle.
Matthew Stafford
Rams Stats & Accolades: 2021–present, Super Bowl LVI champion, 2025 NFL MVP, Rams single-season passing touchdown record.
Matthew Stafford has already delivered one of the most important chapters in franchise history. His first season in Los Angeles ended with a Super Bowl win and one of the most clutch playoff runs in team history.
Stafford’s Rams legacy grew again with his 2025 MVP season. He may not have the Rams longevity of some older quarterbacks yet, but the impact is huge.
Kurt Warner
Rams Stats & Accolades: 6 seasons with the Rams, 1999 NFL MVP, 2001 NFL MVP, Super Bowl XXXIV champion, Super Bowl XXXIV MVP, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Kurt Warner’s Rams story is one of the greatest rises in NFL history. From backup and former Arena League quarterback to league MVP and Super Bowl champion, his 1999 season changed the franchise forever.
Warner was the trigger man for the Greatest Show on Turf. His Rams peak was short compared to some, but it was historically great and belongs in the broader best quarterbacks of all-time discussion.
Torry Holt
Rams Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with the Rams, 869 receptions, 12,660 receiving yards, 74 touchdowns, 7 Pro Bowls, Super Bowl XXXIV champion.
Torry Holt was the smooth technician of the Greatest Show on Turf. His routes, hands, timing and consistency made him one of the best receivers of his era.
Holt’s numbers are enormous, and his peak was not just a product of the system. He was one of the reasons the system was so terrifying.
Jack Youngblood
Rams Stats & Accolades: 14 seasons with the Rams, 7 Pro Bowls, multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end.
Jack Youngblood is one of the toughest players in NFL history. Playing through a broken leg in the playoffs became the signature story, but the full career was much more than that.
He was a dominant pass rusher, a Rams lifer and one of the franchise’s greatest defensive players. Youngblood belongs high on any Rams list.
Isaac Bruce
Rams Stats & Accolades: Franchise-record 942 receptions, franchise-record 14,109 receiving yards, franchise-record 84 receiving touchdowns, Super Bowl XXXIV champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Isaac Bruce is the greatest wide receiver in Rams history by full-career production. His route running, speed, hands and longevity made him the franchise receiving standard.
His game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIV is one of the biggest plays in Rams history. Bruce belongs in any serious best wide receivers of all-time conversation.
Orlando Pace
Rams Stats & Accolades: 12 seasons with the Rams, 7 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pro selections, Super Bowl XXXIV champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Orlando Pace was the blind-side wall for the Greatest Show on Turf. His pass protection gave Kurt Warner the time to attack vertically and allowed the offense to become one of the most explosive units ever.
Pace was massive, smooth and dominant. He belongs in any serious best offensive linemen of all-time discussion.
Tier 1: Greatest Los Angeles Rams Players Ever
Tier 1 includes Aaron Donald, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Marshall Faulk, and Eric Dickerson.
Tier 1 is the top of Rams football. It has three of the greatest defensive linemen ever and two of the most explosive offensive weapons in NFL history.
Aaron Donald
Rams Stats & Accolades: 10 seasons with the Rams, 111 sacks, 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards, 8 First-Team All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowls, Super Bowl LVI champion.
Aaron Donald is the greatest Rams player of all-time. His dominance from defensive tackle was rare, violent, technical and game-changing.
Donald retired after the 2023 season with one of the cleanest defensive résumés football has ever seen. His pressure on the final defensive drive of Super Bowl LVI is the perfect closing image for his Rams legacy, and he belongs near the top of the best defensive players of all-time conversation.
Merlin Olsen
Rams Stats & Accolades: 15 seasons with the Rams, 14 Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro selections, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle.
Merlin Olsen was the model of consistency and excellence. Fourteen Pro Bowls in 15 seasons is almost unbelievable, and it shows how respected he was across the league.
Olsen was the anchor of the Fearsome Foursome and one of the greatest defensive tackles ever. He is one of the strongest No. 1 challengers to Donald.
Deacon Jones
Rams Stats & Accolades: 11 seasons with the Rams, unofficial sack legend, 7 Pro Bowls as a Ram, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end.
Deacon Jones helped invent the language of pass rushing. The term “sack” is tied directly to his legacy, and his edge-rushing dominance changed how defensive ends were viewed.
Because sacks were unofficial during much of his career, the numbers do not fully capture the impact. The reputation does. Jones was one of the most feared defenders football has ever seen.
Marshall Faulk
Rams Stats & Accolades: 7 seasons with the Rams, 2000 NFL MVP, 1999 Offensive Player of the Year, 2000 Offensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl XXXIV champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Marshall Faulk was the perfect weapon for the Greatest Show on Turf. He could run like a feature back, catch like a receiver, pass protect and create mismatches all over the field.
His Rams peak was one of the greatest running back peaks ever. Faulk’s all-purpose brilliance made the offense almost impossible to defend and keeps him in the best running backs of all-time discussion.
Eric Dickerson
Rams Stats & Accolades: 5 seasons with the Rams, 7,245 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns, 1983 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 1984 single-season NFL rushing record.
Eric Dickerson’s Rams peak was ridiculous. He arrived in 1983, immediately became one of the best players in football and set the single-season rushing record in 1984 with 2,105 yards.
The Rams tenure was shorter than it should have been, but the dominance was undeniable. Dickerson’s upright running style, speed and production make him one of the greatest running backs ever.
Full Tier List Table: Best Los Angeles Rams Players of All-Time
Note: This is a tier list, not a strict ranking inside each tier. The tiers are ranked, but players within the same tier are grouped together in the same all-time Rams legacy range.
| Tier | Player | Position | Rams Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Aaron Donald | DT | 2014–2023 |
| Tier 1 | Merlin Olsen | DT | 1962–1976 |
| Tier 1 | Deacon Jones | DE | 1961–1971 |
| Tier 1 | Marshall Faulk | RB | 1999–2005 |
| Tier 1 | Eric Dickerson | RB | 1983–1987 |
| Tier 2 | Matthew Stafford | QB | 2021–present |
| Tier 2 | Kurt Warner | QB | 1998–2003 |
| Tier 2 | Torry Holt | WR | 1999–2008 |
| Tier 2 | Jack Youngblood | DE | 1971–1984 |
| Tier 2 | Isaac Bruce | WR | 1994–2007 |
| Tier 2 | Orlando Pace | OT | 1997–2008 |
| Tier 3 | Jackie Slater | OT | 1976–1995 |
| Tier 3 | Isiah Robertson | LB | 1971–1978 |
| Tier 3 | Tom Mack | G | 1966–1978 |
| Tier 3 | Eddie Meador | DB | 1959–1970 |
| Tier 3 | Elroy Hirsch | WR/RB | 1949–1957 |
| Tier 3 | Bob Waterfield | QB/K/P | 1945–1952 |
| Tier 4 | Norm Van Brocklin | QB/P | 1949–1957 |
| Tier 4 | Roman Gabriel | QB | 1962–1972 |
| Tier 4 | Lawrence McCutcheon | RB | 1972–1979 |
| Tier 4 | Cooper Kupp | WR | 2017–2024 |
| Tier 4 | Leroy Irvin | CB | 1980–1989 |
| Tier 4 | Steven Jackson | RB | 2004–2012 |
| Tier 5 | Todd Gurley | RB | 2015–2019 |
| Tier 5 | Jim Everett | QB | 1986–1993 |
| Tier 5 | Tom Fears | WR | 1948–1956 |
| Tier 5 | Nolan Cromwell | S | 1977–1987 |
| Tier 5 | Les Richter | LB/K | 1954–1962 |
| Tier 5 | Larry Brooks | DT | 1972–1982 |
| Tier 5 | Adam Timmerman | G | 1999–2006 |
| Tier 6 | Fred Dryer | DE | 1972–1981 |
| Tier 6 | Charlie Cowan | OT | 1961–1975 |
| Tier 6 | Tom Newberry | G | 1986–1995 |
| Tier 6 | Maxie Baughan | LB | 1966–1970 |
| Tier 6 | Rich Saul | C | 1970–1981 |
| Tier 6 | Doug Smith | C | 1978–1991 |
| Tier 6 | Marc Bulger | QB | 2001–2009 |
| Tier 7 | Jalen Ramsey | CB | 2019–2022 |
| Tier 7 | Jared Goff | QB | 2016–2020 |
| Tier 7 | Jack Snow | WR | 1965–1975 |
| Tier 7 | Dave Elmendorf | S | 1971–1979 |
| Tier 7 | Jerry Gray | CB | 1985–1991 |
| Tier 7 | Ken Iman | C | 1965–1974 |
| Tier 7 | Kevin Greene | LB/EDGE | 1985–1992 |
More NFC West All-Time Player Rankings
For more NFC West franchise rankings, check out our best San Francisco 49ers players of All-Time, best Seattle Seahawks players of All-Time and best Arizona Cardinals players of All-Time rankings.
NFL Team All-Time Player Rankings Hub
You can also browse the full NFL team all-time player rankings hub to compare every franchise. The hub groups all 32 team rankings by division, making it easier to jump from the Rams list to any other NFL franchise history ranking.
FAQ: Best Los Angeles Rams Players of All-Time
Is this a ranked list or a tier list?
This is a tier list. The tiers are ranked, but the players inside the same tier are not ordered from best to worst.
Who is the greatest Los Angeles Rams player of all-time?
Aaron Donald has the strongest case as the greatest Los Angeles Rams player of all-time. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, made eight First-Team All-Pro teams, recorded 111 sacks and helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI.
Who is in Tier 1 of the best Los Angeles Rams players of all-time tier list?
Tier 1 includes Aaron Donald, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson. The players inside Tier 1 are grouped together in the highest Rams legacy range rather than ranked from first to fifth.
Why are St. Louis Rams players included on a Los Angeles Rams all-time list?
They are included because this is a full Rams franchise ranking. The current team name is Los Angeles Rams, but the list covers the Cleveland Rams, Los Angeles Rams, St. Louis Rams and modern Los Angeles Rams eras.
Who is the best quarterback in Rams history?
Kurt Warner, Matthew Stafford, Roman Gabriel, Norm Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Jim Everett and Marc Bulger all have major Rams quarterback cases. Warner and Stafford have the strongest Super Bowl cases, while Gabriel and Everett have major longevity and production cases.
Who is the best running back in Rams history?
Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson have the strongest peak cases, while Steven Jackson is the Rams’ all-time rushing leader. Todd Gurley also has one of the best short peaks by a Rams running back.
Who is the best wide receiver in Rams history?
Isaac Bruce is the best wide receiver in Rams history by full-career production. Torry Holt, Cooper Kupp, Elroy Hirsch, Tom Fears and Jack Snow also have major franchise receiving cases.
Who is the best defensive player in Rams history?
Aaron Donald has the strongest case as the best defensive player in Rams history. Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Jack Youngblood, Jalen Ramsey, Kevin Greene and Eddie Meador also have major franchise defensive cases.
Conclusion: Ranking the Greatest Rams Ever
The best Los Angeles Rams players of all-time list starts with Aaron Donald, Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson because that group represents the highest tier of Rams football. Donald is the modern defensive standard. Olsen was the model of consistency. Jones changed pass rushing. Faulk became the perfect all-purpose weapon. Dickerson delivered one of the greatest running back peaks ever.
Behind that top tier, the Rams still have incredible depth. Matthew
More NFL All-Time Player Rankings
For more all-time NFL rankings, check out our best wide receivers of all-time, best quarterbacks of all-time, best running backs of all-time, best offensive linemen of all-time, best tight ends of all-time and best defensive players of all-time rankings. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
