The Los Angeles Rams are likely to retool the secondary, leaving one cornerback as the likeliest cut candidate ahead of free agency.
The Los Angeles Rams have a major need at secondary, after the team gave up a fourth-worst 276.0 yards per game average.
Considering the competition in the NFC West alone with Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers and Sam Darnold and the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, having some lockdown cornerbacks is needed. With that in mind, one player in the secondary has been named the likeliest cut candidate for the team.
One of the major reasons the Rams' secondary struggled was due to injuries, as cornerbacks Roger McCreary andAkhello Witherspoon suffered significant injuries, and safety Quentin Lake also missed multiple games.
The fractured secondary due to injuries led to a lot of struggles; however, the high-powered offense kept the Rams in most games.
With the Seahawks overpowering the Rams in the NFC Championship, and Darnold throwing for 346 yards and three touchdowns, that is clear evidence that the secondary needs an overhaul.
Los Angeles may choose to strike big in free agency, or possibly go for one of the highly-rated cornerbacks in the draft to help this matter. With McCreary, Witherspoon, and Derion Kendrick being free agents, one or all might leave.
Another cornerback that has been listed as the Rams' biggest cut candidate is Darious Williams.
ESPN's Aaron Schatz put together a list of players from each NFL team that could use a change of scenery, and Williams made the list for the Rams.
" The eight-year veteran was a useful part of the Rams' defense in 2025, even though he started just three games. Williams ranked high in my coverage DVOA metric and allowed just 6.4 yards per target. However, he is going to be 33 next month and doesn't have any guaranteed money remaining on his contract. It would be easy for the Rams to go another direction in the secondary, leaving Williams to find another job elsewhere," Schatz wrote.
Williams only started three games in 2025 and appeared in 12. He secured one interception, eight passes defended, and 25 total tackles.
In coverage, Williams gave up a 53.7 completion percentage and an 87.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. He also gave up three touchdowns.
Williams did not have the worst stats, and it could be a smart move for the Rams to let him find a new team.
Per overthecap.com, the Rams would save $7.5 million on the 2026 cap by releasing Williams. If the team wants to save money for the purposes of landing a new cornerback, his release would make a lot of sense.