Rams must pull plug on reclamation experiment before it’s too late

The Los Angeles Rams front office certainly took some risks this offseason. But no segment of the roster decision-making process was more controversial than the decision to stick with the same 2024 defensive backs for 2025. No reinforcements were added, despite the pleas of fans and the opinions of many NFL Draft analysts.

Los Angeles was confident in a secondary because it showed flashes of brilliance in the playoffs, surrendering an average of 114.0 net passing yards per game. Even now, after four games, the secondary is much improved, boasting 186.0 net passing yards per game, good enough to be tied for ninth best in the NFL.

But not all is as it may seem.

In Week 4, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was the lowest graded player on the team. His coverage grade of 30.1 reflected allowing three catches on three targets for 86 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, that has been the story practically all season. Much like the struggles last season with veteran cornerback Tre'Davious White, Forbes has surrendered three touchdowns in four games and allowed nine of 11 passes to find their target.

Rams must pull plug on Emmanuel Forbes experiment before it’s too late

The challenge with the secondary is that LA's depth is limited by the election to avoid investing in cornerbacks in the offseason. That matter came rushing to the forefront when starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon suffered a broken clavicle, which placed more pressure on the remaining cornerbacks: Cobie Durant, Darious Williams, and Forbes.

It appears that Forbes may be the weak link.

That point was driven home by Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown, who politely dissed Forbes in the days leading up to their Week 3 faceoff. Brown shut down questions about LA's cornerback by suggesting that Forbes was the last thing on his mind:

Keep in mind that while he is getting a heavy workload in the Rams secondary, Forbes has yet to earn the respect of opposing receivers and quarterbacks. And based on the small sample of four games, it will take a long time to earn.

Los Angeles has two cornerbacks on the practice squad in AJ Green and Cam Lampkin, both of whom could be elevated to help out the secondary if the situation warrants their presence. But for now, the team is sticking to its guns and current players.

A key period to monitor is after the Week 7 game in England. LA enjoys a BYE in Week 8, and if the front office needs to make roster changes, that is the most likely time to do so. Of course, Witherspoon is expected to return before the season's end, and he will be a huge boost to the defense just in time for any postseason competition.

For now, it's something to monitor. Forbes could improve. The secondary could learn to live with it. Still, the evidence is suggesting the reclamation project to get Forbes to an NFL-caliber level is not panning out.

Last season, the Rams cut ties with White quickly. How long will they give the former first-round rookie this season?

His time might be running out.

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