The Los Angeles Rams have discerning eyes when it comes to the annual NFL draft event. Of course, with a team history of trading away early picks, the ability to identify the right rookie prospect in later rounds has been built out of necessity. But the team seemed to achieve mastery by sifting through later rounds in the 2022 NFL Draft.
From the class of 2022, the Rams emerged with eight drafted rookies. But curious enough, the team did not have a single selection until the 104th overall pick in that draft. With the latest release of cornerback Derion Kendrick, the Rams roster only boasts four players remaining of the original eight selections.
But three of the four remaining players are bona fide starters. They are CB Cobie Durant, S Quentin Lake, and RB Kyren Williams. Only offensive tackle A.J. Arcuri remains in a depth role for this team.
Cornerback Cobie Durant was selected by the team with the 142nd overall pick in Round 4 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Hailing from South Carolina State, Durant was projected to hear his name called out in later rounds. But the Rams could not resist his passion for the game, his confidence in his abilities, and his ultra-competitive spirit.
When he arrived on the Rams roster, the team did not hesitate to give him opportunities. In just 281 defensive snaps, Durant recorded 22 tackles, 1.0 quarterback sacks, five deflected passes, three interceptions with one pick-six, and he only allowed 59.0 percent of the passes targeting his receiver to find their mark.
Over his three NFL seasons, Durant has proven to be a consistent and dependable defensive back. In 44 games in which he had appeared, he started 24 games. His best work occurred in 2024, when he started 14 games for the Rams, and allowed just 54.0 percent of passes aimed his way to be completed. He intercepted one pass and allowed just one touchdown. He even recorded two QB pressures, 1.0 QB sack, 44 tackles, and four tackles for a loss.
Perhaps most impressive in the fact that quarterback ratings when targeting him fell in at just 71.2.
If you did not sit up and take notice of this young man's rising star in the NFL, you can take comfort in the knowledge that others did. In February 2025, Cobie Durant was the recipient of the distinguished HBCU Spotlight Award.
But that was just the appetizer. In June 2025,Cobie Durant was further honoredas the NFLPA's Black College Football Pro Player of the Year:
Cobie Durant selected as NFLPA's 2025 Black College Football Pro Player of the Year https://t.co/PNYOVzExNt
— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) June 9, 2025
This honor is bestowed upon a top professional football player who attended a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Cobie Durant is the eighth NFL player to be honored with the award. The first player honoredwas Arizona Cardinals Antoine Bethea. ,
The NFLPA has recognized one active NFL player with this award who:
(1)Serves as a positive influence in his community
(2) Has ties to his HBCU alma mater
(3) Exhibits good character and
(4) Has performed at a high level during the most recent NFL season.
Durant is certainly worthy of multiple honors. In the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs, Cobie Durant recorded two tackles, 1.0 quarterback sacks, and even hauled in an interception. He is just the third player in team history to record an interception and a quarterback sack in the same game.
Despite the team bringing back Ahkello Witherspoon this season, the secondary will need Durant to be better than ever. The Rams' pass coverage last season was not a strong suit, a fact that the team hopes to improve this year.
Some NFL analysts are not high on the Rams' defense in 2025, but that is due to the lack of intimate knowledge about this team. Cobie Durant continues to improve each season, and he is just one of multiple defensive backs who boast positive trends. For the Rams to succeed this season, Cobie Durant must deliver.
Have no fear. He will. And as always, thanks for reading.
Why not check out these recent Rams articles: