The Los Angeles Rams are learning a painful lesson about talent evaluation. Cornerback Derion Kendrick, cut at the end of the preseason, has quickly become one of the Seattle Seahawks’ most impactful defenders — and he’s doing it against the very division the Rams are trying to control.
Rams’ Decision Comes Back to Haunt Them
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When the Rams moved on from Kendrick, the choice was framed as a simple roster shuffle. Depth at cornerback appeared shaky, but the front office leaned on veterans like Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon while banking on 2024 rookie Kamren Kinchens to emerge. Kendrick was waived, and the Seahawks pounced.
Just weeks later, the Rams are facing questions about whether they miscalculated. ESPN’s Brady Henderson called Kendrick a waiver-wire “find” for Seattle, noting how seamlessly he has slotted into their defensive system. The fourth-year corner already has two interceptions in three games — more than the entire Rams’ secondary combined.
Seattle Unlocks Kendrick’s Potential
Under head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle’s defense thrives on disguise and pressure. Kendrick has flourished in that environment, shadowing receivers like Chris Olave and locking down the slot in nickel looks.
“He’s stepped in the last two games at nickel and just got his second interception in that span,” Henderson reported. Hawk Blogger’s Brian Nemhauser added that Kendrick’s tally “is also more than his entire former team (the Rams) have through 3 games (1).”
The Seahawks have dealt with injuries to Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori, yet Kendrick has been part of a resilient rotation that looks like one of the NFC’s toughest units.
Rams’ Secondary Still Searching
Meanwhile, the Rams’ secondary — the group Kendrick once headlined — remains a glaring concern. Pro Football Focus ranked the unit 18th entering 2025, citing regression from multiple players. Williams and Witherspoon bring experience but little speed, and Kinchens is still adjusting to the NFL.
As The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue put it, “Whether they have enough juice in their secondary with a pair of 30-something cornerbacks remains to be seen. The Rams will count on their young, dynamic pass rush to lead the way.”
That pass rush may need to do more heavy lifting than expected, especially now that Kendrick is making plays for a rival that will see the Rams twice a year.
A Painful What-If for Los Angeles
Perhaps the most telling perspective came from fellow former Ram, linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who reflected on Kendrick’s growth since leaving Los Angeles:
“When DK was coming in, you could tell he was still trying to find the maturity aspect of it. For the 2-3 weeks I’ve been around him (in Seattle), the guy is a different dude now.”
For the Rams, that transformation cuts deep. They released a player still developing into his prime, only to watch him blossom for a divisional opponent. In a year where Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and the offense appear capable of competing at the highest level, the Rams’ secondary could be the deciding factor between contending and collapsing.
And with Derion Kendrick thriving in Seattle, that decision may loom as one of the Rams’ most regrettable moves of 2025.
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