On the very first day of training camp, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Derion Kendrick is feared to have torn his ACL. His injury makes a thin secondary that much thinner, making it a cause for concern for the Rams heading into the season.
Who are some free agents the Rams can target to help boost their cornerback room?
1. Ahkello Witherspoon
Witherspoon is the obvious choice here, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was their first and final call. Witherspoon was the unsung hero of the Rams' defense last season, immediately stepping in as the CB1 last season. Witherspoon led the team in pass breakups and interceptions in 2023, providing a veteran boost to a very young secondary. While it's obvious Witherspoon isn't a CB1 in the NFL, signing him would keep a familiar and productive player in the secondary.
2. Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore's fit is an interesting one. The Rams' defense will run a lot of match concepts, something that Gilmore is a terrific fit for and still can play at a high level in. In theory, the Rams' defense could let Gilmore play on an island outside, matching outside WRs, while letting Tre'Davious White and Darious Williams play to the passing strength side opposite. Gilmore would be the best option to play man coverage on their roster, and would expand the kinds of coverages they can call.
You'll hear Gilmore's name tossed around a bunch, and in a vacuum, it makes sense. Whether or not Gilmore will accept it is a different matter. He's stated before he still believes he's a starter, and I'm not sure the Rams are in the market for a starting cornerback.
3. Steven Nelson
The Rams previously tried to sign Nelson before he retired. A predominantly outside corner, Nelson played in 130 games over his eight-year career. He finished his career with 13 interceptions and 47 PBUs. Nelson did say that he would keep his body in shape to continue playing if the right opportunity appeared. He could be an option to keep an eye on now after Kendrick's injury.
4. Adoree Jackson
Another more proven veteran is Adoree Jackson. He's on the smaller side, but Jackson has been a productive player for the Giants over the last three seasons. In a predominantly man coverage defense with little help, Jackson's raw yardage totals aren't much to write home about, but he has led the team in pass breakups the last two seasons. Much like Gilmore, his presence would be to boost their man coverage ability over a true scheme fit, but he still has the athletic ability and production to be a quality addition.
5. Fabian Moreau
Last season, Fabian Moreau was quietly a key cog in the Broncos' defensive turnaround. After stepping in as a full-time starter outside in Week 7, Moreau's presence outside opposite Patrick Surtain II helped solidify the Broncos' secondary. Despite starting so late, Moreau's five pass breakups finished second on the team, tying Justin Simmons, and Moreau missed just two tackles in run defense last season. Denver's scheme last year is similar to what the Rams will run in 2024, so his adjustment to the team wouldn't be as steep.
6. Eli Apple
I know the memes around Apple, trust me. However, beggars can't be choosers, and there are some reasons that Apple fits the Rams' secondary. Apple is experienced in plenty of zone coverage types. Last season, he played for Vic Fangio in Miami, whose defense the Rams' have chosen to model themselves after. Apple has better size than a player like Adoree Jackson, and missed zero tackles in run defense last season.
How his personality would fit is the question, but as far as depth additions go this late in the offseason, they don't have many options.
