Darious Williams' fate is creeping closer after Rams' recent roster moves

The Los Angeles Rams have made headlines of late by trading for Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie and re-signing both tight end Tyler Higbee and popular safety Kam Curl. Those are three exciting additions, to be sure, but they have put the writing on the wall for another Rams defensive back. 

After all, how will general manager Les Snead come up with all that money?

Set to carry an $8.7 million cap hit next season, Darious Williams was already rumored to be a potential cap casualty. With none of his base salary guaranteed, LA would save $7 million by releasing him. 

Although Williams was solid when healthy last year, he is also undersized at 5-foot-9, and not a lockdown corner or big-time playmaker. The Rams can afford to let him go if it means investing cap space more frugally. 

After securing McDuffie and Curl, they may not have much choice.

Williams' Rams tenure may be waning in light of recent signings

As the roster stands now, McDuffie figures to be the top option in LA's cornerback room, though who's to say Les Snead doesn't have something else up his sleeve. Bringing Curl back gives the secondary additional security. That's not to say the front office doesn't have work to do, but fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing those two will be in the mix. 

More importantly for Williams' fate, both players will be well-paid. The Rams signed Curl for three years and $36 million, with two-thirds of the money guaranteed and not including incentives. McDuffie is expected to sign an extension that will make him one of the richest cornerbacks in the league. 

Williams' salary already jeopardized his roster status. Now it's that much more of a problem. 

Of course, before the new league year formally begins, Snead still has several days to line up further signings or simply appraise the general free agency landscape. He doesn't have to decide on Williams just yet. However, the team's recent moves don't work in the latter's favor.  

Bringing back tight end Tyler Higbee on a two-year, $8 million deal only adds to the payroll. Williams' money could be better served re-signing Cobie Durant, for example, who boasts superior size, reliability, and upside. 

Age is working against Williams as well. With his 33rd birthday coming up later this month, entering his final year under contract, he does not profile as a long-term cog. Even coming off a fine season, he could lose a step in 2026 as age creeps up on him. 

Durant, meanwhile, is only 27 and just graduated from his rookie deal. If financially viable, Snead would likely prefer to retain Durant as a core piece of the future.