Los Angeles Rams Draft Aftermath: Can They Address the Big 3 Remaining Questions?

The Rams didn’t use any draft capital to add to the cornerback room. They instead focused on building the group in free agency but failed to land long-term solutions. Tre’Davious White is on a one-year prove-you-‘re-elite/healthy deal. Darious Williams signed a three-year contract, but the normal age-related concerns arose now that he turned 31 years old.

The Rams have invested heavily in the position in recent years. They have drafted six defensive backs in the last three years attempting to find answers. While Cobie Durant and Russ Yeast proved to be 1st team-worthy, Quentin Lake and Darion Kendrick are still finding their role within the defense, and Tre’Vious Tomlinson is still a mystery.

At this point, the pressure for Lake and Kendrick to develop into needle movers is at its highest. They will have to move past being role players into legit starters to ensure success beyond just 2024.

Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coaching In A Post-Aaron Donald World

Raheem Morris earned himself a promotion and took Jimmy Lake with him. Eric Henderson left to coach defense for USC. Chris Shula was promoted and 2024 will be his first time as a defensive coordinator. And he will be asked to perform a miracle without Aaron Donald.

Both Morris and Henderson were masters at developing talent and getting the most from an undermanned defense last season. Shula will have to prove that he can do the same with a better equipt but still young defense, especially along the defensive line, which has no veteran presence to speak of.

The Rams added four rookies in this draft, two of whom will be expected to start Week 1; Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Kobie Turner flashed in his rookie season, but he had the benefit of working with Henderson and alongside Donald. Bobby Brown enters his 4th season but has never earned a starting role.

Long-Term WR Plan

Half of the Rams’ current receivers’ room won’t be under contract after 2025. Cooper Kupp‘s deal goes through 2026, but he will be 31 years old at the start of the season and has struggled to stay healthy the last two seasons, missing 12 games.

The Rams drafted just one wide receiver in the 2024 draft, a six-rounder, Jordan Whittington from Texas. While there are some interesting upsides, he is far from a lock to earn a starting job.

What once was the jewel of the Rams team could quickly become the team’s biggest need.