How the Rams’ Cornerbacks Could Be the Key to Super Bowl Glory

The Los Angeles Rams took a strategic approach to enhancing their defense during the offseason, focusing their efforts on key areas rather than making a slew of changes. Their most significant upgrades came with the addition of two standout cornerbacks, fundamentally transforming the dynamics of their defensive lineup.

In a pivotal move, the Rams acquired Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. Complementing this trade, they also secured Jaylen Watson, McDuffie’s former teammate, through free agency. Together, these acquisitions have significantly bolstered the Rams’ defensive capabilities.

Beyond these high-profile cornerback signings, the Rams remained relatively subdued in their defensive pursuits during free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. This restraint aligns with the team’s confidence in their existing pool of young, promising talent across other defensive positions. However, addressing their cornerback lineup, which was notably lacking last season, was a priority that they tackled head-on.

Here’s a current overview of the Rams’ defensive depth chart following their offseason activities:

Defensive line

Starters: DE Braden Fiske, NT Poona Ford, DT Kobie Turner

Reserves: Ty Hamilton, Jaxson Moi, Jalen Logan-Redding, Tyler Davis, Tim Keenan III, Bill Norton, Larrell Murchison, Payton Zdroik

The skinny: The Rams have done a solid job of building an effective defensive line over the last few years, leaving them with no big needs in this area. They added Keenan as a late-draft reinforcement, and he’ll get a chance to earn a spot in the rotation, but the Rams were essentially set here thanks to the work they have done over the years.

Bottom line: The Rams were excellent against the run last year, and it starts up front. In terms of long range, Fiske and Ford are under contract through the 2027 season, but Turner is on an expiring contract, so a decision needs to be made on his long-term future.

Linebackers

Starters: Byron Young, Jared Verse, Nate Landman, Omar Speights

Reserves: Josaiah Stewart, Grant Stuard, Shaun Dolac, Elias Neal, Desjuan Johnson, Keir Thomas II, Eddie Walls III, Nikhai Hill-Green, Wesley Bailey, Darryl Peterson III

The skinny: According to Pro Football Focus, only three edge rushers earned a top-15 grade in both pass rush and run defense last year. One was Young, who broke through in 2025 with career highs in sacks (12) and 82 tackles. The other two were Myles Garrett and Will Anderson.

That speaks to Young’s emergence as a force off the edge and why he is up for a big payday on a new contract extension. But for the Rams’ defense to take another step forward, especially in closing out games, they need Verse to have a similar emergence in his third season. Verse is an outstanding player, but he needs to be more consistent in terms of great reps to average ones. He’s too good for the high-to-low fluctuation he’s sometimes prone to. If that happens, the Rams will field one of the most lethal pass rush tandems in the NFL.

Bottom line: The Rams have one of the best one-two punches off the edge in Young and Verse, and there is an absolute ceiling to improve. As far as their inside linebackers, they passed on upgrading at that position, hoping Speights and Landman can continue to provide serviceable play. Expect them to address that area moving forward.

Cornerback

Starters: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Quentin Lake

Reserves: Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Cam Lampkin, Josh Wallace, Alex Johnson, Drey Norwood, Al’zillion Hamilton, Nyzier Fourqurean

The skinny: Cornerback became a liability for the Rams last year, and they prioritized that position in the offseason. It’s hard to imagine them handling that task any better than they did in trading for McDuffie and then signing Watson in free agency. In the blink of an eye, a weakness became a strength. To put that in perspective, if that cornerback tandem were in place last year, the Rams likely would have played in the Super Bowl.

Bottom line: With Lake manning the slot cornerback spot, and McDuffie and Watson on the perimeter, the Rams are as strong as they’ve been in years at their top three corner spots. Lampkin and Wallace provide solid depth. The Rams are set here for a while, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they added another veteran depth piece.

Safety

Starters: Kamren Kinchens, Kam Curl

Reserves: Jaylen McCollough, Nate Valcarcel, Tanner Ingle, Nick Andersen

The skinny: The Rams were essentially hands-off at safety this offseason, a clear sign they are encouraged by the young talent they have assembled. Also, keep in mind that with McDuffie, a do-it-all corner able to line up in the slot, that means Lake can be deployed at his more natural safety position from time to time.

Bottom line: The work the Rams did at cornerback improves all phases of their defense, including on the back end at safety, a position they already felt good about.