Les Snead, the Rams General Manager, went into 2026 free agency with one clear mission: fix that cornerback room. And boy, did he ever go for it. Straight-up poaching both starting corners from Kansas City, first with a blockbuster trade and contract for Trent McDuffie, then a swift free agency signing for Jaylen Watson right on its heels. In just a few days, LA completely rebuilt their secondary, agreeing to terms with both studs. The front office felt those two moves were enough, bypassing any other free agents and even the draft, only adding a trio of undrafted guys to fill out the roster.
Trent McDuffie Is The New Cornerstone
Talk about a big splash. Trent McDuffie is the absolute cornerstone of this rebuild, and he came at a hefty price. This former Round 1 pick turns 26 in September, and he's expected to be the rock of the Rams' secondary for their current Super Bowl window and hopefully the next one too. The guy has racked up two Pro Bowls in his first four seasons, showing off a stellar all-around game. What's even wilder is his versatility. Defensive coordinator David Shula can deploy him outside or in the slot, giving them a ton of options in every defensive package. McDuffie is the kind of player you build around, no doubt about it.Jaylen Watson, The Seventh Round Steal
Alongside McDuffie, Jaylen Watson rounds out this new one-two punch. Turning 28 in September, Watson is just now coming into his own in his fifth season and should be a key part of their defense for the next three years. He brings something the Sean McVay era has genuinely lacked: a big, strong press corner with long arms and serious acuity in man coverage. When Watson is on his game, you can stick him on an island against any receiver, regardless of size, and not have to shade the defense his way. His journey wasn't easy: just two D1 seasons around the COVID scare. But after being drafted in Round 7 back in 2022, he went from a nickel back to starting all three playoff wins on his way to a Super Bowl ring. He snagged another ring in 2023, even recovering a fumble in the title game. He won a starting role in 2024 but broke a leg after six games, then had a solid starting season in 2025, despite missing the final two with a groin injury. Finding a talent like Watson in the seventh round? That's how you extend a Super Bowl window.Forbes Looks To Rebound In A Contract Year
Behind those two, Emmanuel Forbes is the primary backup, and he's definitely still working on resurrecting his career. His 2025 season was a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde situation. He started 14 games and hit career bests with three interceptions, 45 tackles, and a stellar 18 passes defended. But on the flip side, he missed 21 percent of his tackle attempts, gave up 21 receptions of 10+ air yards, and a whopping 217 yards after catch. This is a contract year for Forbes, so every snap matters as training camp nears. He's got to prove he can consistently deliver the good stuff. This revamped cornerback unit is going to be tested hard. With training camp right around the corner, all eyes will be on how quickly these new pieces gel. The Rams made their move; now we wait to see if it pays off.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.