Rams' unsung contributor is closer than it seems to putting it all together

Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen McCollough snuck onto the scene as an undrafted rookie with four interceptions, tying fellow rookie Kamren Kinchens for the team lead. He turned one into a pick-six. He did it all in only 335 defensive snaps.

On the surface, McCollough's sophomore season was, well, disappointing. No interceptions despite making six starts and more than a 50 percent increase in workload. He struggled against the run and in the open field. 10 missed tackles is a jarring number. 

Yet by other metrics, McCollough was a steady contributor. That his workload increased indicates not just need but also the trust the team placed in him when injuries came calling and an opportunity emerged. 

McCollough has the tools to take the next step

The key for McCollough is shoring up his tackling and run defense. The impact plays will come if he finds a way to stay on the field. Ballhawks have a knack for picking off passes, but that particular stat is also subject to a high degree of variance.

In other areas, McCollough was perfectly solid last season. Pro Football Focus awarded him a 69.1 overall grade, putting him in the top third at his position. He held quarterbacks to an 82.2 passer rating when targeted, per PFF, ranking in the 76th percentile. He limited receivers to 6.9 yards per catch, third-lowest among qualified safeties. In pass-rush opportunities, he registered a pair of sacks.

Despite his tackling woes, McCollough also came up with 20 stops, 77th percentile production achieved in a snap count near the bottom 25 percent. He notched a pair of tackles for loss and three stuffs, versus none in either category as a rookie. Even as the interceptions dried up, he found a way to contribute. 

Year 3 is the perfect time to put it all together, improving as a tackler while maintaining a solid foundation in coverage and looking to make a few more impact plays through the air, whether that results in interceptions or pass breakups. By PFF grade, McCollough was already a high-end coverage safety in 2025, finishing 21st out of 98. It was against the run that he was exposed; his 59.2 run-defense grade ranked just 84th. 

The crowded Rams safety room is led by Kam Curl, Quentin Lake, and Kinchens. McCollough will be the fourth name on the depth chart. Although his place in the hierarchy will limit his reps, penciling him in as a supporting cast member is a luxury.

And with L.A. leaning into nickel packages, bringing an extra defensive back onto the field, McCollough should again be in line for a healthy dose of snaps as one of the next names up in L.A.'s rotation. 

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