Rams' unheralded backup has golden opportunity there for the taking

Los Angeles Rams defensive back Josh Wallace has already made a fine career for himself as a former undrafted free agent who began his college career at Massachusetts. After four years there, Wallace played a key role on Michigan's national title squad in 2023. Last season for the Rams, he returned his first career interception for 56 yards. In two NFL seasons, he has appeared in 32 games.

With Los Angeles declining Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s fifth-year option, Wallace could have a bigger opportunity on the horizon. Forbes will begin the year as CB3 behind Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but he'll be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. In whatever other way you read the tea leaves, the secondary has become an open competition

That could open the door for Wallace to step in as his replacement, the first backup off the sidelines. Although he will be a restricted free agent himself, the Rams should be able to tender him at an economic cost. Wallace is entering the final season of a three-year, $2.9 million contract.

If he shows them enough, maximizing limited reps or benefiting from an unexpected opportunity, the job just might be his to lose entering the 2027 season. 

Wallace has every reason to give Rams his best this season

Depending on how you assemble the depth chart, Wallace is currently the Horns' No. 4 corner or Quentin Lake's backup as a nickel. His versatility works in his favor, as he can play all over the field, wherever the Rams need an extra DB.

However, Wallace is classified. Beyond Forbes, he is the current roster's best reserve on the outside. With Forbes gone, Wallace would become the next man up.

His campaign to earn that promotion begins in 2026. What kind of opportunity he'll have remains to be seen. McDuffie and Watson are No.1-caliber cornerbacks of an ilk unfamiliar to Rams fans in recent years. Rotational reps could be at a premium. 

Wallace's services in the slot should help him see the field. In the unfortunate event of an injury, he could spend more time defending the boundaries. It will be up to Wallace to make the most of any such opening.

His NFL career hasn't provided an abundance of data to go off, but there's something there - enough, anyway, for LA to keep him around. Wallace came in from undrafted free agency as a rookie and started three games. Last year, he logged 270 snaps, decent fare for a reserve.

Rams fans naturally weren't thrilled when a spree of injuries forced the secondary to rely on Wallace late in the season. For the most part, though, he functioned capably enough when called on. Pro Football Focus labeled Wallace a safety, but his 71.8 overall grade wasn't far off from Kam Kinchens' 72.9 or even Lake's 75.1. Continuing to contribute on special teams could be his main path to playing time in 2026 until other opportunities arise.

More than likely, some opportunity will present itself eventually. Wallace has accrued hard-earned favor within the organization as a dependable member of the rotation. With how much money the Rams have already invested in McDuffie and Watson, bringing him back for cheap next winter could make more sense than paying Forbes or a veteran corner. Wallace has to give them a reason. 

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