Turf Show Times
One of the largest areas of concern for the Los Angeles Rams heading into the 2025 season is on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in the secondary. The Rams didn’t sign a free agent at the position, choosing instead to bring back Ahkello Witherspoon. Additionally, they also didn’t address the position in the draft. Whether or not the Rams make a move, their cornerback group will need internal development to meet expectations in 2025.
It’s hard to argue with the depth that the Rams have at cornerback. Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, and Emmanuel Forbes all provide capable depth. However, serious question marks remain at the top with Witherspoon and Darious Williams.
There has been some speculation that the Rams could trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. However, it is currently past the June 1 milestone date and they have yet to make that move. During the first week of OTAs, head coach Sean McVay said, “There hasn’t been a whole lot of dialogue as of late in regard to some of the communication and so we’ll see if that changes.”
While it is true that the Rams secondary improved over the second half of the season, it’s also hard to have a lot of confidence in the current group. The eye test says that this is a group that needs an upgrade. Witherspoon and Williams aren’t instilling fear against top wide receivers.
At the same time, this is a pass defense that allowed the fifth-lowest passer rating, seventh-lowest net yards per attempt, and eighth-lowest completion percentage in Weeks 7-17. However, during those same weeks, they ranked 14th in EPA per dropback.
Everything that the Rams have said up to this point is that they are content with the current group. “I feel good about where we’re at. We’ve gotten a lot of guys that have played meaningful ball at the cornerback position,” said Mcvay. “There are a lot of young guys, or maybe even guys that are new to the Rams but have accumulated a bunch of experience that I think are only going to continue to take steps.”
In the case that the Rams can’t acquire Ramsey, they are relying on young players to take that next step. One of those players would be third-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes, a former first-round pick, was claimed off of waivers last season after he was released by the Washington Commanders. Forbes didn’t contribute much in 2024 for the Rams, but he did see action in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. In that game, Forbes allowed three catches on five targets for 38 yards.
Claiming Forbes off of waivers always felt more like a long-term investment. He may not be the first-round player that the Commanders drafted him to be in 2023. At the same time, he clearly has some talent.
Throughout the early portion of OTAs, Forbes has an interception on Jimmy Garropolo while covering Xavier Smith as well as a pass breakup against Mario...
