Free agency just began, and the Los Angeles Rams are already addressing their biggest needs. After signing Trent McDuffie, making him their number one cornerback, they added Jaylen Watson.
The Rams signed the former Kansas City Chief to a three-year, $51 million deal, including $34 million guaranteed.
The Rams Add Another Cornerback to Their Defense
Jaylen Watson’s Skillset
The 27-year-old corner is a phenomenal defender who also adds size to the Rams’ cornerback room. The unit was undersized in both height and weight last season, which was one of their few weaknesses. At 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Watson is the best available number two cornerback the Rams could sign. He will reunite with his former Kansas City teammate McDuffie, who was recently traded and signed a four-year, $124 million deal.
Watson has been an overachiever in his career after being drafted in the seventh round out of Washington State. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him a 74.2 pass coverage grade in 2025, which ranked 29th out of 222 qualifying cornerbacks. While he played 15 games this season due to a season-ending groin injury, he is now fully healthy and expected to be a great addition to the team.
Rams Free Agency Flexibility
The signing also gives the Rams flexibility in both free agency and in the draft. Rams general manager Les Snead now has the option to re-sign another corner in free agency, draft for another position, or sign other free agents. The Rams still have Emmanuel Forbes on the roster, allowing him to slide to third on the depth roster.
The Rams also have the option to re-sign several of their unrestricted free agent corners. Ahkello Witherspoon, Roger McCreary, and Derion Kendrick are all candidates for return. Snead is focused on acquiring new players while working through scenarios to bring back those players.
“That way, they get a feel for what their market is. It’s not a subjective, speculative market at that point,” Snead said.
The Rams still hold the 13th pick in the draft, giving them flexibility in deciding which unit to strengthen. Watson’s signing allows them to address other needs. Mock drafts have the Rams possibly selecting other positions, such as offensive line to protect Matthew Stafford, or even adding another receiver.
Snead’s Draft Strategy
Snead’s approach to the draft involves preparing a starting lineup before the draft, which will allow them to select the best players available who fit the Rams’ culture and scheme.
“There’s a possibility, if you reach for a need when it’s all said and done, you still have a need, but you used a draft pick on it,” Snead said.
This differs from the team’s strategy over the last several years. Since 2021, the Rams have built through the draft, but after a highly successful year, Snead is pushing all the chips to the middle of the table. Acquiring two corners shores up the defensive unit, making the Rams nearly invincible on paper.
Snead is also aware of how important this draft is for the Rams.
“Whether it’s the first rounders, whether it’s the Day 2 (second round), whether it’s future picks, it’s, hey, try to use them on a player that’s going to give us an edge,” Snead said.