Derion Kendrick, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Derion Kendrick #1 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a missed field goal by the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Los Angeles Rams’ offseason overhaul at cornerback has included the departures of several key contributors from the 2025 campaign, with Derion Kendrick the latest to draw attention.
Kendrick was drafted by the Rams, spent a brief time away, and returned to finish out this past season with LA.
Now, he heads to another NFC club.
Ex-Rams CB Derion Kendrick Joins Cowboys in Free Agency
Derion Kendrick, Los Angeles Rams
GettyDerion Kendrick #1 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Detroit Lions.
The Rams drafted Kendrick 212th overall in 2022. He spent the first three seasons with LA, who cut him at the end of the 2025 preseason. The Seattle Seahawks claimed Kendrick, but they cut him in November. Still, because he played for them this season, he is a Super Bowl champion.
LA re-signed Kendrick amid their slew of injuries at cornerback.
The 25-year-old corner (26 in December) finished the season with 10 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. Both of interceptions were with the Seahawks.
“CB Derion Kendrick is signing with the Cowboys on a 1-year deal, per his agent Matt Leist of LAA,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported in a post on X on March 24, officially signaling the end of the young veteran’s second stint in LA.
The Athletic’s John Machota offered insight into Kendrick’s potential role in Dallas.
“Kendrick adds depth to a cornerback room that includes DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson, Reddy Steward, Trikweze Bridges, Corey Ballentine and Josh Butler,” Machota posted on X, corroborating the report of the deal with his own.”
Durant was a fourth-round pick in that 2022 class. He departed the Rams for the Cowboys in free agency, too.
Kendrick was on a one-year, $1 million contract with the Rams.
Kendrick had an up-and-down tenure with the Rams. That is evident in their willingness to expose him to waivers and their work to make over their secondary this offseason.