Turf Show Times
The Rams are expected to be contenders in 2025, but still have a few questions leading into the season
The Los Angeles Rams report for training camp in just over a week, and while LA is expected to be potential Super Bowl contenders, there are still a few questions that need to be answered before the team welcomes the Houston Texans to SoFi Stadium week one.
By far, the biggest question for Los Angeles heading into camp is their defensive backfield, specifically at corner. While the team has been linked to many cornerback trades including former Rams CB Jalen Ramsey, nothing has come to fruition as of yet and it feels like more and more that the team may just have belief in their mostly unchanged group from last season.
The Rams do have a relatively strong safety group with the likes of Quentin Lake, Kam Curl and standout rookies Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough. Kinchens and McCollough quietly combined for eight interceptions, 100 total tackles and two defensive touchdowns in their first year at the pro level.
As far as corner goes, Darius Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are expected to be the top two guys on the outside with Lake playing the star role and slot. Cobie Durant and former Washington Commanders first round pick Emmanuel Forbes should be in the mix for playing time as well. This group remains mostly unchanged and struggled early on in 2024, however, they seen improvement as the season went on and it seems to have been enough to convince McVay and company to believe in what they have in house.
“No, I feel good about where we’re at.” McVay continued “We’ve gotten a lot of guys that have played meaningful ball at the corner position, at the safety, we’ve got some different guys that can flex between safety dime, linebacker, the nickel star spot. 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. I think when you really look at it, I thought that (CB) Cobie Durant took amazing strides last year. Obviously, (CB) Ahkello Witherspoon played great. I think him being here in the offseason is a big deal. Darious Williams has been an excellent player for us. I don’t think anybody can minimize that hamstring injury that he had to work through in the early parts of the year.”
“So I do feel really good about the development of that group led by (Assistant Head Coach/Pass Game Coordinator) Aubrey Pleasant, (Safeties Coach) Chris Beake, and (Defensive Assistant) Mike Harris.”
Some would argue with Puka Nacua and the acquisition of Davante Adams, the Rams strongest position group on the team would be at wide receiver, and frankly, it’s hard to argue against...
