Rams have 4 options to fix struggling secondary before NFL Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Rams' defense was built upon a simple principle: Rush the passer. Simple enough, right? And yet, for the first time in 2025, fans witnessed what happens when the pass-rush cannot get after the opposing quarterback. It wasn't pretty. But it did create a bit of friction between Mac Jones and Brock Purdy for the San Francisco 49ers.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles has a bit of controversy to deal with of its own making. The secondary needs cornerback help. The team released Derion Kendrick, who is playing quite well for the Seattle Seahawks. The team lost Ahkello Witherspoon to IR after a fractured clavicle. The team has yet to get free agent Tre Brown on the football field. And Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is struggling mightily as a starter. Stu Jackson explains the result:

If this feels like Deja Vu, it's because it is. The same symptoms plagued the defense in 2024, after injuries forced the team to start Tre'Davious White. After 'evaluation', White was benched and eventually traded. But that was only made possible after the team signed Witherspoon. So, who is the likely addition to this secondary to allow the team to make another painful but necessary decision?

Rams have 4 options to fix secondary before NFL Trade Deadline

The team may not be interested in trading assets for a player, but the timeline suggests it's necessary.

One of the greatest hurdles in adding a player midseason is the challenge of getting them into a position to contribute. With no training camp or preseason to work out the bugs, an underrated attribute needed for any candidate is familiarity with the team's current defensive scheme and strategy. At this time of year, there are few top-shelf options. So it's a matter of getting the best of the remaining players. Here are four who make some sense:

Option 4 - Emmanuel Moseley

The first option is Emmanuel Moseley. He brings affordability, familiarity with the NFC West, and a chip on his shoulder. There is some risk with Moseley, as he has fought through injuries and has not competed in an NFL game since playing for the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.

But when he was on the football field, he had a 57.2 percent completion rate, was good for an occasional interception, and allowed just six touchdowns over four seasons. He stands 5-foot-11, weighs 195 pounds, and is good enough to project for a rotational role. Is that enough? Perhaps.

Option 3 - Michael Davis

Perhaps a more intriguing option is Michael Davis. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 196 pounds, he instantly presents a swap-out for Emmanuel Forbes Jr., which could bring instant relief to secondary struggles.

Davis was a long-term contributor to the Los Angeles Chargers' defense before trying his hand with the Washington Commanders in 2024. Funny enough, he may have contributed to the Commanders' releasing Forbes last season. He struggled in his past two seasons, but he has the wherewithal to show up on game day.

Option 2 - Stephon Gilmore

This is not the first time Stephon Gilmore has appeared on LA's radar as possible reinforcements for suspect pass coverage. There are good reasons for that. He is an elite veteran who offers the best chance of plugging in and starting.

He's started for six teams in 13 seasons, and remains quite proficient in coverage, and still has sticky fingers. He may be the most expensive option, but he is also the most likely to be worth the price.

Option 1 - Asante Samuel Jr.

One player who is not ready for prime time just yet, but whose timeline may fall into the right window, is that of former Bolts corner Asante Samuel Jr.

He underwent neck surgery in the offseason, which leaves plenty of uncertainty as to when and how well he may be able to return to the NFL. He is due to have a CT Scan in October 2025 to determine the success of his spinal fusion surgery. If medically cleared, he could appear on the short list of free agents contacted about a role in Los Angeles's defense.

Samuel is the biggest risk/reward option of the four. He's young and has flashed potential. But he's also coming off serious surgery, and has to get his legs under him. As such, he could be the most affordable, as the team can construct a contract to spread the cost and risk over multiple years.

Rams general manager Les Snead is one of the best at mid-season reinforcements, and this is just one more opportunity to deliver before a crisis develops. Will the team pull the plug? It's likely. The team understands that the window for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is closing. It's now or never. What will the team choose to do? Stay tuned. As always, thanks for reading.

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