The Los Angeles Rams are expected to boast one of the best defenses in the league in 2026, and the safety position is a reason why. 

Los Angeles' safeties are expected to be a versatile unit and one that is the backbone of the secondary due to the high-profile trades and signings they made to their pass rush and cornerbacks. 

The Rams were able to retain their star players in that position, including Kam Curl and Quentin Lake, signing them both to a three-year deal. Los Angeles has reloaded in a big way in that department. 

Here is where the room stands ahead of training camp, and some of the big questions regarding the unit entering the season. 

Quentin Lake

The 27-year-old is the longest tenured Ram in the safety position. Lake returns to the team he’s called home for what is set to be five seasons after signing a three-year deal this offseason. 

The former UCLA Bruin is tasked with being the "chess piece" for the Rams and defensive coordinator, Chris Shula. Per usual, Lake will look to be his dominant, do-it-all self, hugely anchoring the secondary, especially after securing a long-term deal. 

Kam Curl

Curl will enter his third season with the team, and it will by far be his biggest. 

The 27-year-old is set to be a highly essential piece to the Rams' secondary and defense as a whole under Shula. Last season was a career year for the former Arkansas Razorback, recording 122 total tackles, five passes defended, and two interceptions (one short of tying his career-high). 

Entering the 2026 season, Curl will be looked upon to continue shining due to his versatility and playmaking at a high level. 

Kamren Kinchens

Kinches is coming off another highly productive 2025 season, and the expectation is that he will only build on that in 2026. 

He played in all 17 games last season and started in eight of them. Kinchens only had two interceptions in 2025 compared to his four in his rookie year, but he was a more complete player and received more playing time. 

As he gets set to enter his third season, the Florida native is set to be a crucial part of the Rams’ secondary. 

Jaylen McCollough

McCollough will enter his third season in the league and likely continue to serve as the primary contributor and valuable sub-package defender. 

With a great training camp, McCollough could see an uptick in playing time. Last season, he played in 46 percent of defensive snaps. 

Josh Wallace

Wallace is set to enter a make-or-break season with the Rams. He will primarily serve as the backup safety and a key contributor on special teams. 

Tanner Ingle

Most of Ingle’s playing time will continue to come on special teams. This season, he will be fighting for a final 53-man roster spot. 

Nate Valcarcel

Valcarcel was an undrafted rookie in 2025 and did not see the field. This season, he will be fighting for a roster spot as well and looks to finally see the field in 2026. 

Alex Johnson

The Rams will be Johnson’s fourth organization he will be part of since going undrafted in 2024.  In 2026, the Carson, California native will be competing for a spot on the team. 

Nick Andersen

Anderson, the Virginia native, will be battling for a spot on the Rams’ 53-man roster. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon went undrafted this past spring. 

Can the Rams generate more turnovers from the safety position?

The Rams' safety group was solid when it came to turnovers. They came up in the clutch, most notably in the Chicago Bears' divisional round contest. Last season, that group produced four interceptions; if they can bump that number up (and the expectation is that they will), they won’t be viewed as an overlooked group anymore. 

Can Kam Curl and Kamren Kinchens become one of the NFL's best safety duos?

Each of them showed a ton of promise last season. In 2026, with a defensive line that is set to wreak havoc, Curl and Kinchens will look to take full advantage of that, as well as being ball hawks and creating ruckus on their own. 

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