Rams releasing former starting CB before minicamp highlights next roster move

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams, the team has had plenty of questions regarding the team's offseason strategy so far. It's not unusual, as the concern of fans often does not align exactly with the strategy of the team's front office and coaching staff. Even when the concerns and perceived roster needs do align, there is the additional dimension of the timeline.

For fans, sooner is better. For parties who work on the challenges of roster building, sometimes a slower and steadier hand is desired. After all, why rush into contractual obligations that might be regrettable in six months?

While the Rams have been the subject of numerous NFL rumors suggesting that this team is ripe to trade with the Miami Dolphins for former defensive back Jalen Ramsey, the team has been going in the other direction in terms of adding talent to the team's secondary. In March 2025, the team parted ways with CB Tre Tomlinson, a defensive back drafted in 2023. Now, the team has released another cornerback, this time Derion Kendrick:

Kendrick was once a significant contributor to this Rams defense. Even as he sat out all of 2024 with an ACL injury, Kendrick appeared in 32 games in 2022 and 2023, and started in 18 games for the Rams in his first two seasons. While his performance on the football field was a bit erratic, in 2023, he put up 49 tackles, three tackles for a loss, came down with one interception, deflected 10 passes, and allowed just 57.1 percent of passes thrown his way to find their target.

But after the team struggled with trying to restore veteran Tre White after serious injuries in 2024, the team has since outright released both cornerbacks vying to return from injuries in 2025.

Why is the team parting ways with cornerbacks at a time when the team is looking to improve in the secondary? Well, believe it or not, the Rams are loaded with cornerbacks in quantity. I examined the Rams' depth chart as the team released Tre Tomlinson and discovered that this team is bursting with cornerbacks. You can find the Rams' cornerback roster below, updated with the latest news:

• Cobie Durant
• Emmanuel Forbes (Claimed off waivers from Washington Commanders)
• ** Derion Kendrick (Off IR - UPDATED, just released)**
• Josh Wallace
• Darious Williams
• ** Tre Tomlinson (Off IR, just released) **
• Shaun Jolly
• Cam Lampkin
• Charles Woods
• A.J. Green
• Ahkello Witherspoon

At the moment, the Rams roster boasts nine cornerbacks. But, is that the end of it all? I don't see how it can be. When the Rams released Tomlinson, that move was simply a prerequisite to re-signing veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon. So, is the release of Derion Kendrick pointing to a similar roster move?

Before venturing off into speculation, let's pause a moment to investigate how the Rams' depth chart looks for the team's secondary right now:

• LCB - Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Cam Lampkin
• SS* - Kamren Curl, Jaylen McCollough, Malik Dixon-Williams
• FS* - Kamren Kinchens, Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel
• NB/Slot - Quentin Lake, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods, Shaun Jolly
• RCB - Ahkello Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes, AJ Green

* The Rams safety roles are interchangeable

From the above presentation, the Rams have plenty of bodies to man the secondary. But what about quality? Who among the Rams' defensive backs can provide the blanket coverage necessary to stop effective offenses?

As much as the Rams' pass coverage seemed to congeal as the 2024 NFL season progressed, the team is wise to show interest in trading for veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey. With Ramsey on board, the team has multiple options for how to present pass coverages, including sliding Ramsey into the slot and returning Quentin Lake to his safety role.

I don't have to advise anyone to look for the Rams to make more roster moves, as social media is already abuzz in anticipation of news that the Rams have reached an agreement to trade for Jalen Ramsey. While the trade remains uncertain, one thing is now a fact. The Rams have just created more reasons to do so.

As always, thanks for reading.

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