It's only taken 3 phases of OTAs for Rams to raise expectations for this player

The question many NFL fans ask about the Los Angeles Rams this offseason has to do with whether the NFL Playoffs version of the defense was real or imaginary. While there is no denying that the team's run defense is suspect, the Rams' pass defense showed up in a way to make jaws drop around the NFL.

The team's pass rush needed just two postseason games to record 16 quarterback sacks. If this team could attain and sustain that same rate of bringing down opposing quarterbacks for a full 17-game regular season, it would end the year with 136 quarterback sacks. The Denver Broncos led all teams in 2024 with 63 quarterback sacks. That's less than half of what the Rams' postseason rate would generate.

Likewise, the Rams' defense allowed just 228 net passing yards over two games, which works out to just 114 net passing yards per game. Of course, the Rams allowed 245 gross passing yards to the Minnesota Vikings and 128 gross passing yards to the Philadelphia Eagles. But after subtracting the 82 and 63 yards lost from those 16 sacks, the net passing yards over those two games was a pedestrian 228 net passing yards.

The Rams have invested in the safety position recently. As recently as 2024, the team signed veteran Kamren Curl, drafted rookie Kamren Kinchens, and then signed rookie Jaylen McCollough after the draft. The team attempted to bolster the cornerback position by signing veterans Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White, but soon traded White when it was clear that he was unable to compete as a starter.

The Rams turned back to former starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, whose return seemed to stabilize the secondary somewhat. But even with the team extending Witherspoon, the cornerback room remains stocked with Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, AJ Green, Shaun Jolly, Cam Lampkin, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods.

And, of course, Emmanuel Forbes.

But of the group, do any threaten to be bestowed Pro Bowl honors this season? If you say no, then you already understand why the Rams have been rumored to trade with the Miami Dolphins for veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey. But, will they?

The Rams took a chance on salvaging Forbes NFL career

When the Los Angeles Rams claimed former first-round defensive back Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from the Washington Commanders, it was impossible not to feel elated over the player's and team's chances of finding a perfect route to reboot the young defensive back's NFL career. But it was also impossible to understand the situation.

You see, Forbes was selected with the 16th overall pick in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. That is a rather lofty spot to be drafted, and it is earlier than any Rams player has been selected in the draft since the team hired HC Sean McVay in 2017. Not even DROY OLB Jared Verse was selected earlier, as he was the 19th overall selection in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Less than two years after drafting him, the Washington Commanders surrendered, outright releasing the player rather than continue to work with him to develop him into an NFL-caliber player. After all, he was caught in the crossfire of the Commanders' changing of the guard. ESPN writer Bill Barnwell explained that Forbes was drafted for Ron Rivera's team in 2023, but found himself on the outside looking in after an unsatisfactory performance in Week 1 for new HC Dan Quinn.

Barnwell's solution? A trade of Forbes plus a Round 6 pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for a Round 5 pick. Instead, the Rams claimed Forbes off waivers for nothing. Low risk, high reward? Perhaps. But due to the late arrival in 2024, Forbes was essentially a developmental investment for the team. Because he was claimed off waivers, Forbes's rookie contract, and all its perks, transferred to the Rams.

To sum that up, the Rams have Forbes under contract through 2026, with an option to extend him through 2027 if necessary. And unlike last year of adding him mid-season, the Rams have Forbes through OTA, minicamp, and training camp. So the Rams have a chance to work with Forbes and coach him up.

The question is, can the team get him there?

Is Emmanuel Forbes up to starting in 2025?

Currently listed on the Rams site at 6-foot-0 and 180 pounds, Emmanuel Forbes' draft profile listed him as 6-foot-1 and 166 pounds. That's a healthy bit of added muscle, which is vital to ensure Forbes can withstand the physicality of an NFL defensive back. But even those measurements may be outdated. Multiple accounts report that Forbes has shown up to OTAs looking more muscular and fit than he did when arriving last season.

And that has been confirmed by videos and still images that have emerged from Rams OTAs so far:

Some reports suggest that Forbes may have added up to 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. IF true, that would have him at or around 200 pounds, which is a much better place to be for an NFL defensive back who stands 6 feet tall. But even if he is only tipping the scales at 190 pounds (which is a conservative estimate), that additional muscle mass will play a huge part in keeping him on the football field.

When the Commanders selected Forbes in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft, many draft analysts viewed him as a reach. But when the Rams claimed him off waivers, he did not come at the cost of a draft pick. Rather, he had 1.5 years of NFL experience under his belt. So it made complete sense to give him a chance.

But perhaps Forbes has other ideas. He has already created tremendous buzz in Rams OTAs. But that is often the case for svelte, speedy players when the drills resemble flag football. It's when the pads go on, and the drills become far more physical that we will be able to see if Forbes can pass the muster.

It's quite clear that as soon as the Rams front office becomes aware of a shortfall in the team's depth chart, the front office springs immediately into action. The team wasted no time in responding to the disappointing news about LT Alaric Jackson. If the team can instantly sign veteran OT DJ Humphries so quickly, you can bet that the team would pull the trigger to trade for DB Jalen Ramsey if the team felt it necessary to do so.

The Rams are still early in offseason preparations, so you are well grounded to expect more moves from this team as Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season nears. Will the team trade for Jalen Ramsey? Will the team sign a fourth quarterback for training camp?

Stand by and wait. I hate to fall back on a cliche, but all good things come to those who wait. For Rams fans, the team may decide to boost this roster further. But it may take time to reach that decision. Until then, sit back and enjoy Emmanuel Forbes' surprisingly positive performance.

And as always, thanks for reading.

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