The Los Angeles Rams were among the few teams with limited issues throughout the season. However, cornerback was one of the most important positions on their roster.
The team made it to the NFC championship game but suffered from their undersized, undermanned, and inexperienced cornerback room throughout the year. Many of the corners were small and unable to effectively guard bigger receivers. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is listed at 6’0, 173 lb, Roger McCreary is 5’11, 190 lb, and Darious Williams is 5’9, 191lb. The best corner was Cobie Durant who led the team in interceptions including two in the NFC divisional game against the Bears but even he is 5’11,182 lb.
Matthew Stafford has announced that he will return for next season and if the Rams want to fight for another opportunity to win the Lombardi trophy, they must address the need for a bigger corner.
Free Agency
The Rams have a plethora of options at cornerback for free agency. Their first option should be Jamel Dean. Dean has spent his entire six-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning Superbowl LV. At age 29, he is still a great choice in free agency. Dean received a 76.9 pass coverage rating by Pro Football Focus this season. He also allowed a 46.9 passer rating when targeted which was the lowest among qualified corners. Pressed for pass coverage specialists, Dean is a right fit for Los Angeles standing at 6’1 201 lb. He also brings experience to a young group.
Another great corner to sign is Jaylen Watson. Watson played for the Chiefs as a seventh-round pick since being drafted in 2022. He is a 6’2 197 lb corner who has been getting better since he entered the league. Pro Football Focus graded him a 74.2 in pass coverage which ranked 29th out of 222 qualifying cornerbacks in the 2025 season. This season he played 15 games before a season-ending groin injury. He is coming off a rookie contract so he might be an expensive option but he would greatly upgrade the cornerback room in several different aspects.
The Rams will also need cheap experienced veteran corners coming off the bench. One of the best options is Rasul Douglas. Even though he is 31, he is coming off a great season where PFF graded his pass coverage at 78.5, finding himself among the top of qualifying corners. Douglas is also 6’2 209 lb and signed to a $1.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins meaning the Rams could sign him for a similar price. His experience and time in the league can be an invaluable asset to a young and inexperienced cornerback room for the Rams.
Draft
Selecting 13th overall, the Rams will likely have the first or second option at drafting a corner. If they get the first cornerback pick, Mansoor Delane is the consensus best corner in the draft. Standing at 6’0, 190lb, the LSU corner is best at press coverage showing excellence in man-to-man defense. He has great footwork and top-end speed. Scouts have compared him to All-Pro Eagles corner, Quinyon Mitchell, and suggested him as a day one starter for whoever drafts him.
The second cornerback on the board is Jermod McCoy. McCoy is a 6’0 193 lb, junior out of Tennessee. He was out the entire 2025 season due to an ACL tear in an offseason workout but his size and talent are undeniable. A mostly zone corner, McCoy has elite ball skills which can translate to turnovers. He’s also great at staying with his receiver as he is not easily deceived by misdirection. He’s also great at disguising coverage pre-snap, confusing opposing quarterbacks. If McCoy is the first option on the board for the Rams, he can greatly improve their secondary.
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