The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 offseason knowing their defensive turnaround won’t be complete until they fix the back end. While the defensive line has become one of the league’s ascending young units, the secondary remains the roster’s most unsettled — and most consequential — question.
During an appearance on the Rams LAFB Show, MatchQuarters Substack founder and defensive analyst Cody Alexander made it clear that solving the issue is about far more than simply drafting “a guy.”
“It’s not just going to be a, ‘Hey, we just need a guy that can lock it up.’ You need really a multi-tool guy… somebody that can play off-ball, play zone, play all of the coverages — Cover 3, quarters — with good vision and the ability to attack the ball.”
That distinction matters because of how the Rams are built defensively under Chris Shula. This is no longer the Jalen Ramsey–centric model that allowed Los Angeles to tilt coverage to one side and erase an opponent’s top option. The current structure requires corners to process, rotate, trigger downhill, and function within split-second safety rules that demand intelligence as much as athleticism.
In short: the Rams don’t just need talent. They need adaptability.
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Life After Ramsey Still Hasn’t Been Solved
Since trading Ramsey in 2023, Los Angeles has tried to replace elite play with depth, matchup pieces, and schematic protection. The results have been uneven and at times limiting.
Alexander believes that absence still defines the defense.
“That’s really one of the areas on this defense that really needs to get fixed… you have to find ways to get corners or at least have some sort of a premier corner because you haven’t had one since Ramsey, and it really changes your defense when you have one side of the ball that you can just kind of lock down.”
Without that presence, the Rams have leaned more zone-heavy, attempting to protect the corners rather than dictating to offenses. That approach can survive — but it rarely thrives against the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
Why the Answer Can’t Be a One-Year Fix
The natural reaction is to point to the draft. But Alexander cautions against expecting an instant savior at cornerback, one of the league’s most difficult transitions from college to the pros.
“I don’t think a rookie corner comes in tomorrow and it’s just like, ‘Oh, it’s a game changer,’ because it’s hard to get those premium guys, especially early.”
That reality reinforces a broader team-building philosophy he has long advocated:
“My philosophy around the draft has always been: you draft an edge and you draft a corner every single year… eventually one of them is going to hit.”
For a Rams team that has successfully reloaded its defensive front through volume swings — Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Braden Fiske — applying that same attrition-based model to the secondary may be the logical next step.
Coaching Changes Signal Structural Commitment
Personnel isn’t the only shift underway. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the Rams are expected to hire Tennessee assistant Michael Hunter as a defensive backs coach, a move that aligns with the organization’s renewed emphasis on development.
Hunter built a reputation at Ohio State for preparing technically sound, coverage-versatile defensive backs — exactly the type Alexander describes as necessary for Los Angeles’ scheme.
Whether Aubrey Pleasant remains on staff or departs for a defensive coordinator opportunity elsewhere, the Rams appear to be insulating themselves with teaching infrastructure designed to accelerate young corners rather than rely on a single acquisition.
The 2026 Rams Draft Could Provide Pieces — Not the Whole Answer
If the Rams do follow Alexander’s “draft one every year” approach, this year’s class offers a range of stylistic fits rather than a clear-cut No. 1 lockdown prospect. Another way of saying this is, there isn’t a Christian Gonzalez type in the 2026 draft.
Mansoor Delane (5-11, 191) — LSU
Delane lacks elite length but plays with strong instincts and composure. He allowed zero touchdowns and committed zero penalties in 2025, showcasing the awareness and efficiency that translate well into split-safety structures. He is fluid, opening his hips and has enough speed to stay in phase on vertical or in-breaking routes, making him easy to project as a starter regardless of scheme.
Jermod McCoy (6-0, 195) — Tennessee
Though he doesn’t have 2025 tape, McCoy’s 2024 film is outstanding. He is patient, agile, and balanced in press man with the reactive athleticism to gear up or down quickly. He also shows strong awareness in zone, baiting throws, and driving on routes — traits that align well with the Rams’ coverage multiplicity.
Avieon Terrell (5-11, 180) — Clemson
A fluid, easy mover with light feet and sharp read-and-drive ability, Terrell consistently crowds receivers and plays with natural instincts on the ball. While interception totals are modest, his production — 25 passes defended and eight forced fumbles over two seasons — reflects disruptive impact and a playmaking temperament.
Colton Hood (6-0, 195) — Tennessee
Hood brings an intriguing blend of size, speed, and physicality. He plays sticky in man coverage and contributes willingly in run support. Still developing his anticipation from off coverage, Hood’s flashes — particularly during Senior Bowl practices — looked like those of a potential first-round talent.
Chris Johnson (6-0, 195) — San Diego State
Johnson is a technically sound cover man with clean pedal mechanics and the ability to mirror in both man and zone. He shows recovery burst down the field, though bigger receivers can outmuscle him at times. His competitiveness and versatility fit the Rams’ need for dependable, multi-role contributors.
The Blueprint Looks Familiar — And Intentional
If this rebuild sounds methodical, that’s because it mirrors how the Rams reconstructed their defensive line after Aaron Donald’s prime years began to sunset. Instead of chasing one superstar, they layered developmental players, trusted coaching, and allowed competition to reveal long-term starters.
The secondary may now be entering that same phase.
Alexander’s evaluation serves as both a warning and a roadmap: there is no shortcut at cornerback, especially in a system that demands mental processing and schematic flexibility. But with repeated investment — and the right kind of player — stability eventually follows.
For the Rams, the mission isn’t just replacing Ramsey.
It’s building a secondary that can function without needing another one.