Rams must target Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey trade after biggest draft failure

The Los Angeles Rams did not address the cornerback position during the draft. The Los Angeles Rams did not address the cornerback position after the draft. And that has some Rams fans a bit nervous, and all Rams fans a bit suspicious. They are not wrong, as the Rams' brain trust seldom announces their intentions to improve the roster, but almost always come through in a pinch.

It all seems to fall in line with the adage attributed to former US President Abraham Lincoln:

"You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time "- attributed to Abraham Lincoln

The Rams' roster did not require depth at the cornerback position. After re-signing veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon, the ranks swelled to 10 players. But the team is relying on the expectation that their players will improve in 2025. Perhaps they will. After all, this will be the first year that both Emmanuel Forbes and Ahkello Witherspoon will participate in training camp. And the team will get Derion Kendrick back from IR. So, who are the 10 players currently on the roster? They are:

Cobie Durant
Emmanuel Forbes (Claimed off waivers from Washington Commanders)
Derion Kendrick (Off IR)
Josh Wallace
Darious Williams
Ahkello Witherspoon
Shaun Jolly
Cam Lampkin
Charles Woods
A.J. Green

While this group did show up big in the 2025 NFL Playoffs, that success is attributable to the team's relentless pass rush that manhandled opposing quarterbacks. The Rams pass rush pu up 16 quarterback sacks in two playoff games. That was the most by any playoff team, no matter how many games played.

The Rams got as much out of the above group as possible. But their ability to defend passes is related to how much pressure the defensive front can apply. Shouldn't the team have considered investing in at least one top-tier cornerback, either in free agency, the draft, or even taken a flyer on an undrafted cornerback? The team's abstinence in avoiding cornerbacks that were a consensus need projected for the team by NFL analysts says one of two things:

The Rams are overly confident in the group based on their postseason dominance, buoyed by a pass rush that was playing lights out. OR
The Rams front office has an Ace up its sleeve. There is no need to make a move towards the cornerback position if that is an agenda item scheduled for a future date.

The Rams are neither stupid nor blind. Even as the team may fall into a predictable pattern on offense or miss the mark with free agency signings, the Rams continue to keep one foot on the ground. More and more, one of the most admirable traits of this team is not resisting errors. Rather, the team works quickly to right the wrongs. Need proof? The team traded away veteran DB Tre'Davious White mid-season, after he was unable to generate anything positive in four starts.

The team also dealt veteran IOL Jonah Jackson after it was clear that he was not going to become a starter. Steve Avila was better at left guard, and rookie Beaux Limmer was better at center. The lone free agent signing from 2024 is TE Colby Parkinson, and he has stiff competition in the form of just-drafted Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson.

But it works both ways. The Rams traded away All-Pro DB Jalen Ramsey at the end of the 2022 season. Now, NFL rumors are heating up that link Ramsey's return to the Rams. So does it hold water? Or is this all smoke and mirrors? Let's dive in.

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