One of the largest areas of concern for the Los Angeles Rams heading into the 2025 season is on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in the secondary. The Rams didn’t sign a free agent at the position, choosing instead to bring back Ahkello Witherspoon. Additionally, they also didn’t address the position in the draft. Whether or not the Rams make a move, their cornerback group will need internal development to meet expectations in 2025.
It’s hard to argue with the depth that the Rams have at cornerback. Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, and Emmanuel Forbes all provide capable depth. However, serious question marks remain at the top with Witherspoon and Darious Williams.
There has been some speculation that the Rams could trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. However, it is currently past the June 1 milestone date and they have yet to make that move. During the first week of OTAs, head coach Sean McVay said, “There hasn’t been a whole lot of dialogue as of late in regard to some of the communication and so we’ll see if that changes.”
While it is true that the Rams secondary improved over the second half of the season, it’s also hard to have a lot of confidence in the current group. The eye test says that this is a group that needs an upgrade. Witherspoon and Williams aren’t instilling fear against top wide receivers.
At the same time, this is a pass defense that allowed the fifth-lowest passer rating, seventh-lowest net yards per attempt, and eighth-lowest completion percentage in Weeks 7-17. However, during those same weeks, they ranked 14th in EPA per dropback.
Everything that the Rams have said up to this point is that they are content with the current group. “I feel good about where we’re at. We’ve gotten a lot of guys that have played meaningful ball at the cornerback position,” said Mcvay. “There are a lot of young guys, or maybe even guys that are new to the Rams but have accumulated a bunch of experience that I think are only going to continue to take steps.”
In the case that the Rams can’t acquire Ramsey, they are relying on young players to take that next step. One of those players would be third-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes, a former first-round pick, was claimed off of waivers last season after he was released by the Washington Commanders. Forbes didn’t contribute much in 2024 for the Rams, but he did see action in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. In that game, Forbes allowed three catches on five targets for 38 yards.
Claiming Forbes off of waivers always felt more like a long-term investment. He may not be the first-round player that the Commanders drafted him to be in 2023. At the same time, he clearly has some talent.
Throughout the early portion of OTAs, Forbes has an interception on Jimmy Garropolo while covering Xavier Smith as well as a pass breakup against Mario Williams. He also had another interception during the media portion last week. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula said, “Forbes has done a great job thus far. We were really excited about him in the middle of the year...It’s nice to see how smart he is, see him communicate, and he does a really nice job.”
Multiple things can be true here when it comes to Forbes. It’s positive to see several reports of Forbes making impact plays. At the same time, these plays have come while covering third and fourth string players without pads. With pads is where Forbes’ physicality will be tested. The hope is that Forbes can carry the momentum through the summer, but it’s also important to contextualize it. Said McVay,
“You see the ability in some of the individual drills, the movements, the ability to get in and out of breaks and things like that and then the length and the ball skills to be able to pick the ball off. Those are big deals. I thought he did some really good stuff against Seattle in week 18 last year. And so I’m encouraged to really use this as an evaluation.”
Forbes offers something that none of the Rams cornerbacks outside of Witherspoon offer and that’s arm length. With a wingspan of 79 inches, that puts Forbes in the 92nd percentile. His 32.25-inch arm length is in the 78th percentile. Conversely, Kendricks’ arm length is in the 34th percentile while Cobie Durant’s lands in the 26th.
Very impressive rep from Forbes in press man.
Physical throughout the route. Another rep where you can really feel the impact of his length. Gets over the WR for the PBU. pic.twitter.com/8XFINaBzMJ
— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) December 3, 2024
Barring injury, it is unlikely that Forbes begins the year as a starting player on the outside. However, this is an important offseason for the former first-round pick as he will get a real shot to show the Rams coaching staff what he can do. If Williams or Witherspoon struggle, the Rams may be tempted to give Forbes a run on the outside. Again, he at least provides some talent upside and potential in a way that no other Rams cornerback does.
It’s still early in the offseason program, but it’s hard not to like the early reports coming out on Forbes even if he is just a depth piece entering 2025. If Forbes continues to develop, he could become more than just depth—he may be a vital piece of a secondary that’s quietly under construction.