It's not even training camp, and Rams cornerbacks get thumbs down by NFL experts

The Los Angeles Rams spent the offseason trying to plug all of the roster holes that developed throughout the 2024 NFL season. One area that seemed to get no attention at all is the cornerback position. That seemed to run counter to many roster need projections from the majority of NFL draft analysts, who had the Rams pegged as needing inside linebackers and defensive backs in the 2025 NFL Draft.

But the Rams, ever the contrarians, opted to go with the Rams secondary 'as is.' While that may have made Rams fans a bit nervous, the latest survey from a panel of NFL experts could bring on an epidemic of outright anxiety. You see, ESPN's NFL Insider/analyst Jeremy Fowler has continued his survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to rank NFL players as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season. And in the survey ranking cornerbacks, the Rams roster has been completely shut out.

That is more than the Top 10 cornerbacks. That includes six more cornerbacks who earned Honorable Mention. It also includes 13 more cornerbacks who were named in the 'also receiving votes' category. That means that the Rams' cornerbacks could not crack the Top 29 cornerbacks list.

If you consider the fact that 32 teams boast two starting cornerbacks, the Rams were shut out of the Top 29 of 64 players. Yikes.

The Rams are sticking with cornerbacks who are led by Ahkello Witherspoon, Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Emmanuel Forbes, and Derion Kendrick. While all have started in the NFL, can they step up their game this season?

The Rams had the opportunity to sign CB Jaire Alexander (a vote-getter) and trade for CB Jalen Ramsey (Honorable Mention) but failed to do so. So, is this cornerback crew going to be a handicap for the Rams defense? Or will the Rams strategy of boasting a top pass rush keep the coverage respectable in 2025?

Perhaps a bit of both. The Rams have the confidence of knowing that when the pass rush gets after the quarterback, the secondary shines. In two playoff games last season, the Rams pass rush generated 16 quarterback sacks, and the secondary allowed a net average of 114 passing yards per game. That is outstanding. But it was borne from a pass rush that averaged eight quarterback sacks per game.

While being shut out of preseason position rankings is naturally alarming, it may become a non-factor if the Rams pass rush meets or exceeds expectations in 2025. All we can do is sit back and observe. The Rams are taking a gamble. But when high stakes are on the line, this team always seems to come through.

As always, thanks for reading.