NFL insider explains Rams' recent roster building strategy
The Los Angeles Rams have a few flaws they've yet to address on their roster. Namely, the cornerbacks and linebackers lack firepower to truly elevate a defense.
And while the Rams have the cap space and assets to pull off a move for a star cornerback (like Jalen Ramsey), the duo of head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead appears unwilling to do so with any urgency. They retained the same secondary from 2024 — the one that ranked 26th in passing yards allowed — and didn't draft any young players at either cornerback or safety despite taking a late-round linebacker.
That, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, seems to be by design.
"The Rams' approach to filling the position in recent years has been interesting," Breer wrote. The projected starters right now are a couple guys that came in as reclamation projects, in Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams (who returned after starting his career in Los Angeles). Former first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is in that mix too. And so taking a swing on Alexander [who has since signed with the Ravens] or getting Jalen Ramsey back would kind of fit.
"But I do think this is also a larger philosophical thing for the Rams, with much of their recent focus on building up the offensive skill spots and defensive front—areas they believe are truly impactful on wins and losses. I heard someone say that in today's NFL, corners are more speed bumps than stop signs, and I think that might be how L.A. has come to view the position. Or at least that's how it looks."
McVay and Snead have always been ahead of the game in roster construction, so Breer's hypothesis would make sense.
It would certainly explain why the Rams have used a bevy of top-100 picks on the defensive line to replace Aaron Donald with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. Or why they preferred to draft players at tight end, edge rusher, running back and defensive tackle before linebacker.
If McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula think they can put together a quality defensive unit without stars at cornerback or linebacker, then this lack of urgency should work. It almost did in 2024 when the young defense emerged as a stout group right up until they ran into Saquon Barkley in the NFC Divisional Round.
Whatever the case may be, the Rams appear to have a plan that they're sticking to, even despite outside pressure to reunite with Ramsey.
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