Los Angeles Rams Eye New Talent Amid Defensive Woes

The Los Angeles Rams find themselves seeking a sturdy cornerback to bolster their exterior defense. With Ahkello Witherspoon out of commission for an extended period owing to an unfortunate injury, the team finds itself bereft of a deliverable strong presence at the boundaries. Emmanuel Forbes, although blessed with commendable reach, could face exploitation due to the perceived limitations of his constitution, especially when placed at the outskirts. Both Darious Williams and Cobie Durant could suffer from similar predicaments.

A clear instance of this pressing issue surfaced during the Rams’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where their flawed defense was exposed by Jalen Hurts’ calculated attacks, facilitated by AJ Brown at the periphery. Brown commands respect as one of the top ten wide receivers for authentic reasons. Yet the Rams’ defensive backs incessantly encountered difficulties when confronted with him, an occurrence that was not confined to the Eagles clash alone but repeated during the Week 2 encounter with the Tennessee Titans as well.

Even though Witherspoon may not be regarded as the prototypical CB1, his absence cannot be dismissed lightly as it removes a fundamental aspect of size that his colleagues seemingly lack. Forbes’ contributions have been decent at best, but propelling him to the status of the team’s principal cornerback may be premature. As for Durant, despite an overall robust performance, a deficiency in size positions him as a potential risk at the boundaries.

This predicament, alarmingly, became evident even within the premature proximity of the red zone. A player like Darious Williams, bereft of a size advantage, found it challenging to go toe-to-toe with a contender like AJ Brown. In the absence of Witherspoon’s physicality, it is feasible to speculate whether the Rams can endure this shortcoming for a protracted duration.

Considering the Rams’ ambitions to stamp their authority this Super Bowl season, speculations are rife about potential trades the team might consider. Bengals’ Taylor-Britt, poised on the brink of contract completion, might be an appealing exchange prospect for a mid-level draft pick.

By welcoming Taylor-Britt into their roster, the Rams would supplement their team with a competent cornerback, perfectly suited to their requirements, rather than a top tier player. As the Browns race towards a possibly unflattering 1-5 saga at the end of six weeks, their readiness to offload players could work in the Rams’ favor.

At the age of 35, Stephon Gilmore is arguably more reputed for his credentials than his current form. Yet, for the Rams, even his temporary presence till Witherspoon’s return could infuse the largely youthful cornerback room with much-needed veteran wisdom.

Alontae Taylor, wrapping up the last year of his rookie contract, is also an attractive prospect despite his previous selection in the second round. His recent stats, including a concerning 46.7 percent missed tackle rate this year and a 20.8 percent missed tackle rate in 2024, paired with a conceded passer rate of 117.9 last season, paint an image of struggle.

Nevertheless, if one were to accentuate the positives, it could be said that Taylor brings to the table a commendable blend of size and reach at the boundaries. His purported versatility to transition between the indoors and outdoors, a trait that the Rams appreciate, adds to his appeal.