Rams Lack ‘Margin For Error,’ Expected To Regret 1 Roster Move ‘Not Matter What’

The Rams’ secondary was far from elite last season, finishing 20th in pass defense. Darious Williams allowed a 101.7 passer rating in coverage, Ahkello Witherspoon checked in at 96.9, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. arrived midseason after flaming out in Washington. Kendrick, with real boundary starting experience, offered insurance at a position group already under the microscope.

Cutting him created both a depth and optics issue: to many fans and analysts, it signaled unnecessary risk. “Releasing any defensive back with starting experience is a disastrous move, no matter what,” Moton argued.

Why the Rams aren’t panicking

Inside the building, however, the tone is more optimistic. Head coach Sean McVay insists the Rams actually like their current cornerback room.

“I really think our corner group as a whole is really deep,” McVay said this week. “We’ve got what we look at as four starting corners. That’s a positive thing for us with Ahkello, with Cobie [Durant], with Darious [Williams] and with Emmanuel [Forbes]. That’s a real positive thing for us.”

Cobie Durant is showing progress — reporters saw him break up multiple passes intended for Puka Nacua during camp, earning the nickname “landshark.” Forbes, meanwhile, secured his spot on the 53-man roster despite a hamstring setback in camp, and Witherspoon has impressed coaches with his steady veteran presence.

The Seahawks wrinkle

Seattle’s decision to claim Kendrick raises the stakes in the NFC West. The Seahawks cut veteran Shaquill Griffin to make room, signaling they see more upside in the younger corner. If Kendrick carves out a role in Seattle’s secondary, the optics of Los Angeles giving up on him will look worse.

Yet, there’s a flip side: Kendrick has not played a snap since his ACL tear, and Seattle is gambling on his return to form. If he fails to regain pre-injury effectiveness, it may be the Seahawks — not the Rams — who regret this transaction.

The bottom line

The Rams did not want to lose Kendrick, nor the four other players who slipped away on waivers. The front office fully intended to bring them back via the practice squad. But when other clubs pounce, that’s often the cost of building a roster with real depth.

Los Angeles still believes its cornerback group can hold up, particularly with a strong pass rush and emerging safeties helping in coverage. Still, given the fragile health history of Williams and Witherspoon, Moton’s point stands: the Rams lack margin for error at cornerback. If injuries strike again, the decision to let an experienced boundary starter walk — especially to a division rival — could come back to haunt them.

The Rams will open their season against the Houston Texans on Sept. 7 with confidence in their current secondary. Whether that confidence proves warranted will determine if Moton’s warning becomes reality.