Rams can finally dump draft disappointment if training camp reports are true

The Los Angeles Rams' secondary is a topic of controversy right now. Many casual NFL analysts are taking aim at the quality of the Rams' defensive backs in their annual rankings, not realizing that much of what they are citing as shortcomings to the team have already been addressed through carefully crafting the depth chart mid-season. Some continue to harp on the fact that the Rams' secondary is not good enough, but cite tackling as the root cause.

The Rams' entire defense struggled at tackling in 2024. That is often a symptom of a new defensive coordinator, as players must adjust to the new system's requirements, including where to be and what to do. That can distract players for a fraction of a second, which is just long enough for a running back or other ball carrier to slip past.

But the critics fail to acknowledge that after starting for the Rams' secondary for two consecutive seasons, the team has finally signed veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to a contract before training camp, allowing him to learn alongside all of his teammates. And those same critics have ignored the stellar reports out of OTAs and minicamp about Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes was selected in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders, but was waived by a new regime after struggling to fit in the new defense.

The Rams shrewdly claimed him off the Commanders' waiver wire, and so far, he has been very impressive. He's even put on more muscle, which should show up in training camp when the pads go on.

Rams can finally dump draft disappointment if training camp reports are true

A year ago, the Rams lost DB Darious Williams to a nagging hamstring injury, DB Derion Kendrick for the season to an ACL injury, and veteran safety John Johnson III to injury after Week 2. Those injuries forced the team to make drastic roster changes, which needed time to take hold. And now, a year later, the Rams appear to have four veteran cornerbacks vying for starting roles in Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant, and Emmanuel Forbes.

The team appears to have moved on from Derion Kendrick. When the team released Kendrick earlier in the offseason, many believed that to be a sign of the Rams finally reaching an agreement to trade for DB Jalen Ramsey. Instead, the team signed QB Dresser Winn to return as the team's fourth training camp quarterback. The team seemed to acknowledge a failure to acquire Ramsey when the front office re-signed Kendrick.

Still, the message was clear. If the team has to find a roster slot for a new player, Derion Kendrick already knows that he is on the short list of players likely to be released.

In 2024, the Rams acknowledged the readiness of rookie safeties Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough when the team released safety Russ Yeast. Now, the team is on track to do the same thing to acknowledge the development and readiness of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. And believe it or not, Forbes is actually younger than Kendrick by six months.

If the reports are true and Emmanuel Forbes is truly impressing the Rams coaching staff this offseason, it's no longer a matter of if the Rams will move on from Derion Kendrick. It's a matter of when.

Of course, the pads still must go on. And physical contact can be a huge factor in determining who stays on the Rams roster, and who does not. But the signs are pointing to a huge season for Emmanuel Forbes. And that points to the Rams dumping Derion Kendrick, a player who never seemed to fill the role of starting defensive back in this secondary.

As always, thanks for reading.