Cornerbacks 40-yard dash times sends an undeniable message to Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have been identified as a team in dire need of upgrading its secondary. And the scapegoats from the 2025 NFL season appear to be the lackluster play from the cornerbacks. As a result, the team has been frequently linked to selecting either LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane or Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Neither player worked out at the combine.

No matter. Those who did participate in athletic events at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine certainly made a statement. There are many talented cornerbacks up for grabs in the draft. In fact, some big boards have as many as 18+ cornerbacks with Day 1 or 2 projections assigned to this year's rookie class.

That's nearly 20 percent of the selections from the first three rounds. If you doubt that, just take a look at the top 10 times recorded in the 40-yard dash.

No, the 40-yard dash is not the gold standard for cornerbacks. But it does give a peek at the overall athleticism of rookie prospects at the posiition. And the fact that so many who did participate have such impressive times is a glowing statement that these rookies are ready to compete in the NFL.

Numerous talented cornerbacks gives Les Snead many options

While the team may be linked to the two top cornerbacks in this draft, the rookie class at the position is very deep. And if general manager Les Snead senses a robust group of players, he is more apt to select multiple players for the team, rather than try to hit a grand slam with one selection.

And this draft makes that a wise strategy.

Snead has four selections to make within the top 100 of the draft. In 2022, he had no selections among that group. It's no surprise that many fans and NFL analysts expect a shopping spree this year. But the team's needs eluded a consensus.

Even the positions that many expect Snead to address do not have a consensus on when the team may select the position.

Cornerbacks will almost certainly be addressed at some point during the draft. But the performance so far from the rank and file hints that the team may delay selecting one until Day 2. And based on what we are seeing at the NFL combine so far, that may work out well.

As always, thanks for reading.