Rams Enter The 2026 Draft With One Clear Objective: Rebuild The Secondary

The Los Angeles Rams rarely hold multiple first-round selections, but the 2026 NFL Draft gives them exactly that opportunity. With picks No. 13 and No. 29, general manager Les Snead has a chance to reinforce a roster already built to compete for a title.

The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching, and conversations around the Los Angeles Rams are gaining momentum among analysts and fans alike. With two first-round picks, the team has a rare opportunity to strengthen key areas of the roster and build on its recent competitiveness in the NFC. 

Draft projections, roster breakdowns, and positional needs are already being debated across the league as experts evaluate how Los Angeles could use its selections. At the same time, many fans follow those discussions from multiple angles, including tracking NFL Draft odds and season projections through California online sportsbooks, where thousands of markets cover everything from team win totals to player awards. 

Within that broader conversation, one topic appears consistently in both analysis and fan discussion: how the Rams will use the draft to improve their secondary.

The Secondary Became The Rams’ Most Exposed Unit

Los Angeles generated pressure effectively last season. The defensive front disrupted quarterbacks and limited opposing rushing attacks. The problem appeared once the ball was released.

Opposing offenses attacked the Rams’ defensive backs with vertical routes and layered passing concepts. Coverage communication occasionally broke down, and safeties were forced to cover too much ground. Several late-season matchups saw quarterbacks extend drives with deep throws that quickly changed field position.

The postseason loss that ended the Rams’ run exposed the problem clearly. Even when the pass rush arrived on time, receivers still found open space downfield.

Multiple defensive backs face uncertain futures, meaning the Rams could need new starters soon. Two first-round picks give them a realistic path to solving that.

Cornerback Depth Must Improve

A starting-caliber cornerback should be a priority with the Rams’ earlier selection. South Carolina defensive back Brandon Cisse fits the type of player Los Angeles could target.

Cisse excels in zone coverage rather than pure press-man situations. That matters because the Rams’ defensive system relies heavily on route recognition and disciplined positioning.

Across the past two college seasons, Cisse consistently disrupted passing lanes and limited separation on intermediate routes. His size and athletic profile allow him to contest throws at the catch point while maintaining strong positioning.

The Rams do not necessarily need a shutdown corner immediately. What they need is a dependable defender capable of stabilizing coverage and limiting explosive plays. Cisse projects as a player who could contribute early while continuing to develop technically.

Safety Help Is Equally Important

Even if the Rams select a cornerback early, the safety position still needs attention. Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman represents the type of defender who could strengthen that unit.

Thieneman produced one of the strongest coverage seasons among collegiate safeties, finishing his final year with elite defensive metrics and a high forced incompletion rate. His ability to read route combinations allows him to close throwing windows quickly.

The Rams’ defensive structure requires safeties capable of covering large areas of the field.. Thieneman’s range and instincts make him a natural fit for that role. If selected, he could compete for playing time immediately and develop into a long-term starter.

Draft Flexibility Gives Snead Several Options

Holding two first-round picks creates strategic flexibility. Snead could address two positions directly, or adjust depending on how the draft board unfolds.

One option involves selecting a cornerback early and then choosing the best defensive player available later. Another strategy could involve trading back from the late first round to collect additional Day 2 selections.

The Rams have historically identified productive players outside the first round. Adding multiple defensive backs across the first three rounds could accelerate the rebuilding process in the secondary. Regardless of the exact strategy, improving pass coverage must remain the central objective.

Veterans Could Still Play A Supporting Role

Even if the Rams draft two defensive backs early, the team may still add experienced players in free agency. Veteran defensive backs can provide stability while younger players adjust to NFL speed and coverage complexity.

This approach reduces risk. If rookies develop quickly, veterans become reliable rotational pieces. If development takes longer, the team still maintains experienced depth.

A Draft That Could Extend the Rams’ Championship Window

The Rams remain firmly in win-now mode under Sean McVay. The roster still features elite talent, and the team continues to compete deep into the postseason.

However, championship teams must constantly evolve. The 2026 NFL Draft offers Los Angeles a chance to strengthen the one area that showed vulnerability last season.

If the Rams leave the draft with two impact defenders in the secondary, the roster could become even more complete. In a conference filled with explosive offenses, improved coverage might be the final piece required for another championship push.