Josh Wallace quickly emerging as someone Rams should want to keep around

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Josh Wallace definitely got a bum rap against the Broncos when he was called for pass interference on a clear interception. The NFL has since clarified that Wallace should not have been flagged.

It would have been his second pick of the day and a game-sealing play, transforming an ugly loss into a miraculous road win.

A 2024 undrafted free agent out of Michigan, Wallace was a priority free-agent signing for LA in a draft class stacked with cornerback talent. Since then, he has developed steadily into a solid contributor.

Wallace is highly versatile, playing well in both zone and man coverages. The Rams have relied on him in an increasing role. Now in his third season, Wallace has two career interceptions and 30 solo tackles in 525 defensive snaps.

With injuries mounting, Wallace is even more key to LA's secondary this year. If he keeps it up, he should be due for an extension at season's end.

Josh Wallace is playing himself onto Rams' 2027 roster

Wallace has worked his way up the depth chart. This season he has been the first defensive back off the bench. And with the team carrying just four cornerbacks and Jaylen Watson hurt, that's significant.

Thus far Wallace has one interception, was robbed of another, and has allowed only a 50 percent completion rate. He has six tackles and has broken up two passes, per Pro Football Reference, without allowing a touchdown.

Wallace was thrust into a significant role last week with Watson's injury. He's been playing remarkably well, despite difficult circumstances. Although he's made his mistakes, Wallace is almost always in position to make a play on the ball and forces quarterbacks into tough throws. He has been better than his 56.8 Pro Football Focus grade suggests.

The Rams have to have one eye on the future. Both Trent McDuffie and Watson are under contract throughout at least 2028. But Wallace is an extension candidate himself, if only because he projects to be a restricted free agent. That means LA can tender Wallace a $3.8 million qualifying offer, preserving the right of first refusal to any offer sheet.

The Rams could even up the ante to over $6 million to create a second-round qualifying offer. In that scenario, by opting not to match any offer sheet, they would be awarded a second-round draft pick as compensation.

Financial flexibility aside, fellow backup Emmanuel Forbes is on an expiring deal and Wallace offers additional value as a nickelback behind starter Quentin Lake.

While it's too early to make tender offer projections, it's not too early to speculate that Wallace is earning a future spot on the team.

As always, thanks for reading.

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