Snead's Snacks: Rams' Top Cornerback Targets in 2026 NFL Draft

One of the biggest needs for the Los Angeles Rams heading into the offseason was at cornerback. It's a position that them down at the end of last season and was in need of a serious upgrade. That led to the trade and extension for Trent McDuffie and the team signing his teammate Jaylen Watson in free agency.

While the Rams have addressed the cornerback position this offseason, it's still possible that they add to it again in the draft. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported that the Rams have continued to do work on cornerbacks since the addition of McDuffie and Watson.

Since the 2020 NFL Draft, I've run a series called Snead's Snacks. This series examines common traits among previous Les Snead draft picks and identifies which players in the upcoming NFL Draft fit the Rams' mold. Today, let's look at cornerbacks.

Notable Past Rams Drafted Players

2022 - Cobie Durant, 4th Round

Cobie Durant's Athletic Measurements

Cobie Durant's Athletic Trait Grades

Cobie Durant's Film Traits

Overview of Pick

Durant played well for the Rams over four seasons. He was an inside-outside versatile cornerback who competed with bigger receivers. Durant had a knack for taking the ball away with three interceptions in two of his four seasons.

2021 - Robert Rochell, 4th Round

Robert Rochell's Athletic Measurements

Robert Rochell's Athletic Trait Grades

Robert Rochell's Film Traits

Overview of Pick

Rochell is a former Snead's Snacks alum as an honorable-mention player. The Rams selected him in the fourth round, and the reason is clear. He matched their profile with his elite physical attributes, long arms, and physicality.

2019 - David Long, 3rd Round

David Long's Athletic Measurements

David Long's Athletic Trait Grades

David Long's Film Traits

Overview of Pick

David Long was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He didn't make much of an impact, but did win a Super Bowl with the team. Long didn't re-sign following his rookie contract.

Notable Past Rams Undrafted Players/Free Agents/Trades

2026 - Trent McDuffie, Trade

Trent McDuffie's Athletic Measurements

Trent McDuffie's Athletic Trait Grades

Trent Mcduffie's Film Traits

2023 - Ahkello Witherspoon, Free Agent

Ahkello Witherspoon's Athletic Measurements

Ahkello Witherspoon's Athletic Trait Grades

Ahkello Witherspoon's Film Traits

2019 - Jalen Ramsey, Trade

Jalen Ramsey's Athletic Trait Grades

Jalen Ramsey's Film Traits

2018 - Darious Williams, UDFA

Darious Williams' Athletic Measurements

Darious Williams' Athletic Trait Grades

Darious Williams' Film Traits

Common Traits The Rams Look For in Cornerbacks

Ball Skills Are a Premium

The Rams like cornerbacks with good ball skills and ball production in college. They prioritize playmaking ability over pure athletic profile. Darious Williams broke up 19 passes during his senior year at UAB. Troy Hill ranked third in the nation in pass breakups when the Rams signed him. Rochell and Durant each had 12 career takeaways. Snead prioritizes cornerbacks with instincts, anticipation, and the ability to make plays on the ball.

Undersized but Competitive Cornerbacks

There are some exceptions here, but for the most part, Rams cornerbacks tend to be undersized. In fact, most are under 5'11'', and it's rare for a Rams cornerback to be over six feet tall. The Rams like cornerbacks who play with a competitive mindset and play bigger than their size. They are willing to take risks on a player's physical traits if that player is tough, competitive, and a good tackler.

Speed and Short-Area Quickness Matter

This is a team that typically values speed at cornerback. Outside of some rare cases like Trumaine Johnson and Derion Kendrick, all cornerbacks ran a sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash. In 2021, Rochell had an elite speed grade, and he had the fastest 40-time at the Combine among cornerbacks. It's also common for them to have elite 10-yard splits. This could mean that long speed isn't mandatory, but short-area quickness is, which also ties into their liking for players who break on the ball.

2026 Players Who Fit The Rams

Mansoor Delane, LSU

After trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson, it's hard to see the Rams drafting a cornerback in the first round. It's also possible that Delane is taken before the Rams draft. However, Delane's combination of instincts, ball production, and competitive toughness make him a very strong fit.



Draft Projection: 1st Round

Treydan Stukes, Arizona

Stukes brings a lot of what the Rams have looked for at the position in the past and would be a great fit. He's a versatile player with experience inside at nickel. Stukes ran one of the fastest 40-times at the Combine and finished his career with seven interceptions and 35 pass breakups.



Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Chandler Rivers, Duke

If there is a cornerback that the Rams take in this draft class, it would not be surprising if that player is Chandler Rivers. He is the perfect fit as he brings good speed, is highly competitive, and plays bigger than his size. Rivers had 29 passes defended at Duke and reads the quarterback well. He may project inside at the next level, but he has experience as an inside-outside player.

Tacario Davis, Washington

Davis is a taller cornerback, but the Rams have gone towards taller cornerbacks in recent years. Ahkello Witherspoon was a taller cornerback, and Jaylen Watson is 6'2''. Davis brings aggressive ball skills and had 15 passes defended in 2023 at Arizona and 25 for his career. He's also a consistent tackler in the run game.



Draft Projection: 4th-5th Round

Jaydon Canady, Oregon

Canady is one of the more versatile defensive backs in this class. Oregon lined up Canady in the slot, outside, at safety, and in the box. While his ball skills are inconsistent, there is potential as he has 18 pass breakups over the past two years combined. Canady is a competitive tackler and plays bigger than his size would indicate.



Draft Projection: 5th Round

Honorable Mentions

Keith Abney, Arizona State

• 21 passes defended over last 25 starts
• On-ball production
• Undersized, but feisty
• Competitive temperament

Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd Round

Malik Muhammad, Texas

• Plant-and-go-quickness
• Triggers quickly as run defender
• Lacks ball production

Draft Projection: 3rd Round

Julian Neal, Arkansas

• Aggressive Tackler
• Short-Area Quickness
• Tracks ball in the air
• Average long speed

Draft Projection: 4th Round

• Biggest Draft Steals and Busts of the Les Snead Rams Era-What Went Right and Wrong
• One Dream NFL Draft Trade That Could Change the Rams Overnight
• Rams Big Board: Ranking the Top 100 Fits in the 2026 NFL Draft
• Snead's Snacks: Identifying Rams Fits at Linebacker in 2026 Draft

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi as Snead's Snacks: Rams' Top Cornerback Targets in 2026 NFL Draft.

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