The Los Angeles Rams will need to figure out their cornerback this offseason, one way or another. They have a bevy of internal free agents to consider, from Akhello Witherspoon to Roger McCreary to Cobie Durant, as well as a potential cap casualty in Darious Williams.
General manager Les Snead could bring some or all of those players back in 2026, or he could find solutions elsewhere — either the draft, free agency, the trade market or a combination of the three.
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ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicts the Rams dip into the free agency pool to strengthen their cornerback room. In his most recent article, Schatz wrote that the Rams will sign Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson.
Watson is a talented corner with the size (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) to press and the awareness to play zone coverage. He had a phenomenal coverage DVOA in six games in 2024, then was above average (40th out of 98 qualifying) in a full season in 2025.
Watson’s market value is $12.5 million a year, per Spotrac, on an estimated three-year, $37.4 million deal. That’s a hefty price for a position the Rams haven’t valued in recent years, but L.A. will need to invest at some point following a few poor seasons from the secondary.
Watson, 27, is a former seventh-round pick out of Washington State who started 15 games for the Chiefs in 2025. He finished with a career-best two interceptions this past season, with six defended passes, two sacks and 64 combined tackles.
If the Rams like Watson more than their internal players, he would be a solid addition to Chris Shula’s squad.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams projected to sign top CB free agent this offseason