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znModeratorNFC West has been a gauntlet for a decade. Three different contenders, constant turnover at the top, zero easy weeks.
Who’s winning the division this year? 👇#RamsHouse #NFCWest #NFL #49ers #Seahawks #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/LpR0wogm3I
— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) March 2, 2026
znModeratorHis absurd toe-tap touchdown against Penn State made waves around the college football world,
Notice the quarter, time, and score.
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. made one of the most INSANE catches I’ve ever seen 🤯
Video: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/vDyuz7IIeH
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 8, 2025
znModeratorRams 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Cornerbacks, offensive skill players common projections in Round 1 after combine
Wyatt Miller
With the 2026 NFL Draft under two months away, and the scouting combine now over, mock draft season is in full swing.
Rams fans have increased interest in the draft this year, with the team owning the No. 13 overall pick via last year’s trade with the Falcons, as well as the No. 29 overall pick. Cornerback has been the most common projection for Los Angeles in the first round, but some offensive skill players have also entered the conversation after the combine.
Here’s how analysts think the Rams will use those first-round selections as of March 2.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Tennessee CB Colton Hood (13th overall) and Alabama QB Ty Simpson (29th overall)
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah went on record saying Hood has “first-round tape” and backed that up with “first-round testing” at the combine last week.
In his lone season at Tennessee last year, Hood registered an interception and nine passes defended to go along with 50 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, his 83.3 coverage grade among cornerbacks ranked second in the SEC during the regular season and 18th in the FBS (min. 300 coverage snaps). He produced the 10th-fastest 40-yard dash time among cornerbacks at the combine (4.44 seconds) to go along with the fifth-best vertical leap (40.5 inches).
“The Rams need to bolster their secondary, and Hood is a physical, ultra-competitive press-man specialist with elite perimeter run-support skills,” Wilson wrote.
With their second selection of the first round, Wilson has the Rams choosing what would likely be the eventual successor to the 2025 MVP, quarterback Matthew Stafford. Simpson only started 17 collegiate games, but when those games are played for Alabama, that experience holds extra weight. He is widely thought of as the QB2 in this draft after Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and his skill set as a pocket passer is somewhat similar to Stafford’s.
In another CBS Sports article, Josh Edwards said that Simpson had “only two bad throws” during his combine workout, and “showed little wasted movement in his footwork.” He added that Simpson’s performance furthered his case to be the second quarterback taken in the 2026 draft.
“Some Rams fans may not love the idea of taking Simpson, but I can’t say it loudly enough: fit matters,” Wilson wrote. “And if Matthew Stafford plays another year — or two — Simpson has the game to flourish in Sean McVay’s offense.”
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (13th overall) and South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse (29th overall)
Sadiq is the definition of a combine riser. His 4.39 40-yard dash was the fastest by a tight end at the combine since at least 2003. He added a 43.5-inch vertical and a 11-foot-1 broad jump for good measure, both of which ranked second among tight ends this year.
Sadiq led the Ducks with 51 receptions and eight touchdowns in 2025 and ranked second on the team with 560 receiving yards. That production made him a consensus top two tight end in this class, but his combine performance catapulted Sadiq to the top of the positional rankings in most analysts’ eyes.
If the Rams were to select him at 13, it would be the second time in as many years where Los Angeles picked an Oregon tight end with its first pick in the draft. Normally, that would raise some eyebrows, but after the Rams’ 13 personnel sets took the league by storm last season, there’s a clear role for Sadiq in this offense.
“Sadiq would give Sean McVay another field stretcher and yards-after-catch option while still deploying heavy bodies, with some grit as a blocker as a nice bonus,” Tice and McDonald wrote. “Sadiq would not only help the Rams for 2026, but he also shores up the position long-term for the Rams as they have several pending tight end free agents in 2027.”
Tice and McDonald use the Rams’ second pick in the first round to address the cornerback position. Most mock drafts have the Rams opting for defense first and offense second, so Cisse hasn’t been linked to Los Angeles as commonly as Hood. The South Carolina standout caught one interception and registered six passes defended in his lone season with the Gamecocks while starting all 12 games in 2025.
“NOW is when the Rams add to their defensive backfield, this time with Cisse, who my friend Derrik Klassen from The Athletic described as ‘a safety playing the cornerback position,'” Tice and McDonald wrote. “I think Cisse needs to improve in his game recognition, but he has the feistiness and explosiveness to help out somewhere, whether it’s on the outside or with a move into the slot (the Rams loved their dime personnel packages under d-coordinator Chris Shula). His scrappiness and tackling ability will give him fans.”
Trevor Sikkema, PFF: LSU CB Mansoor Delane (13th overall) and Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. (29th overall)
Delane’s ball production has been a resounding strength throughout his four-year college career, as he’s intercepted eight passes and defended 35 in 44 collegiate games. After three years at Virginia Tech, Delane transferred to LSU prior to the 2025 season, where he registered a career-high in passes defended (13) and caught two interceptions.
At six feet tall and 187 pounds, Delane boasts impressive athleticism and intelligence, a combination that makes him as dangerous to target as any player in this draft.
“The Rams have big-time secondary needs heading into free agency. If Delane makes it to them here at No. 13, it’s hard to think he won’t be their guy,” Sikkema wrote. “He has so much inside-out versatility as a man-coverage defender. There was no athletic testing for him at the combine, but that shouldn’t matter much.”
Cooper was a key piece of Indiana’s 2025 National Championship team, leading the Hoosiers in receptions (69) and yards (937) while catching 13 touchdowns in 16 games. His absurd toe-tap touchdown against Penn State made waves around the college football world, and certainly piqued the interest of NFL clubs, but Cooper is more than just a contested-catch specialist. He’s a crisp route runner with reliable hands and high-end physical traits that he established last week.
“Cooper made himself some money at the combine,” Sikkema wrote. “He was already seen as a player with a very high floor, namely the ability to play all three receiver spots with reliable hands and good contested-catch ability. But after running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and jumping 37 inches in the vertical, he checks the athletic boxes for a higher ceiling, too. He could be the Rams’ succession plan for Davante Adams.”
znModeratorEvery Joe Namath Los Angeles Rams Touchdown Pass
Oh good. A short highlight video for a change. Sometimes those 40 minute Stafford highlights videos are just too long.
Like the 27 minute video: “every Stafford TD pass against Seattle in 2026.” It just goes on. And on. And on.
znModerator***
this is a really deep draft at CB. It’s not as flashy at the top as some CB drafts, but it’s solid. Rams need to add more than one anyway. They may not get the best one but they need to get at least 2 good 1s, and they can.It will be interesting to see their strategy. (its easy to trust them, given their draft success in the past). I mean, Someone special might drop down to 13 or be in range for a small trade-up. What do they do, then? Stick with CB or would they take a difference-maker at another position?
Maybe they take 3 CBs. I dunno.
w
vThat’s the big question. Or, one of the related big questions. Do they stay with CB at 13 even if the guy that’s there is really more of a lower 1st round pick? Do they use the 13 on an exceptional player who is not a CB? Do they trade down from 13 and then take up to 3 CBs this draft?
znModerator***
this is a really deep draft at CB. It’s not as flashy at the top as some CB drafts, but it’s solid. Rams need to add more than one anyway. They may not get the best one but they need to get at least 2 good 1s, and they can.It will be interesting to see their strategy. (its easy to trust them, given their draft success in the past). I mean, Someone special might drop down to 13 or be in range for a small trade-up. What do they do, then? Stick with CB or would they take a difference-maker at another position?
Maybe they take 3 CBs. I dunno.
w
vThat’s the big question. Or, one of the related big questions. Do they stay with CB at 13 even if the guy that’s there is really more of a lower 1st round pick? Do they use the 13 on an exceptional player who is not a CB? Do they trade down from 13 and then take up to 3 CBs this draft?
znModeratorfrom The Athletic, Everything we learned about all 32 teams at the 2026 NFL combine: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7077535/2026/03/02/nfl-combine-2026-takeaways-free-agency-plans/?campaign=17105581&source=athletic_targeted_email&userId=603890
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams really do not value the combine. General manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay have routinely not attended the annual event, but it was jarring to spend most of the week in Indianapolis and to see almost no presence from the franchise and to hear about that absence from staffers on other teams. Los Angeles does risk giving up some intel — namely in meeting with lots of prospects, a process that is more limited after the combine — but it does speak to the franchise’s resistance of groupthink culture in order to find specific fits to draft and develop in their schemes and cultures that can pounce on market inefficiencies. It can be seen as a bit of an arrogant approach, but it’s hard to argue with the track record that has taken mid-round players such as Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Byron Young and Quentin Lake and turned them into stars. — Nate Atkins
znModeratorI didnt see this posted, so I’ll put it here.
Best of DBs at combine:
I will move my list of possible 1st/2nd round CBs from the previous draft thread to here. It’ll be in both places.
***
this is a really deep draft at CB. It’s not as flashy at the top as some CB drafts, but it’s solid. Rams need to add more than one anyway. They may not get the best one but they need to get at least 2 good 1s, and they can.
***
CBs seen as going in rounds 1 through 3….alphabetical
This is after day 2 of the Combine
descriptions are taken from 2 articles:
…
Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy did not to participate in drills
Brandon Cisse, South Carolina … 6′ 189
1. Cisse should be a target for the Rams at the end of the first round. He’s one of the best corners in this class, bringing great athleticism to the table. His ball skills leave something to be desired but everywhere else, he’s really impressive.
At the combine on Friday, he should wow scouts with his athleticism, potentially sending his stock higher. Plus, his ability in run support gives him an edge over some other corners.
2. Hamstring tightness while warming up for the 40-yard dash ended Cisse’s day before he could run or showcase his talents in positional drills, but he impressed in his jumps before shutting it down. Cisse (6 feet, 189 pounds) hit 41 inches on his vertical leap and 10-foot-11 on the broad jump — both excellent numbers for the likely first-rounder. He’ll run the 40-yard dash and do positional drills at South Carolina’s pro day March 17. — Miller
Tacario Davis, Washington … 6’4 194
1. If the Rams are looking for some size on the outside to help replace Ahkello Witherspoon, Davis should warrant some consideration. He’s 6-4, 200 pounds, which is wiry for a defensive back but helps him in coverage. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees him as a better zone corner than man defender, making him a good fit for the Rams. With his slimmer frame, run support isn’t a strong suit of Davis’, but the Rams need guys who can cover first and stop the run second.
2. Davis is one of the most uniquely built players in this class, standing at 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.41 40, an excellent time for a player of his stature and an important data point for teams that prioritize his traits — length, ball-disruption skills and ability to play press coverage (he has logged 267 snaps of press over the past three seasons). Though Davis won’t fit every scheme, there will be a subset of teams that I believe will value him as soon as the third round. — Yates
Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia … 6’1 196
Everette caught my eye early in the cornerback workouts and continued that performance all the way through. At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he ran an impressive 4.36 40-yard dash. His jumps were equally great, as he jumped 37½ inches in the vertical and 10-foot-4 in the broad jump. Everette is viewed as a midround prospect, carrying lots of Round 3 grades from scouts that I have talked to. A scheme-versatile corner, he’s best suited for teams that specialize in zone coverage but occasionally mix in man-to-man principles. — Reid
Colton Hood, Tennessee … 6′ 193
1. Hood isn’t the biggest cornerback at 5-foot-11 but he plays the position physically and is a willing tackler in run support. Though he gets overlooked sometimes by his teammate Jermod McCoy, Hood is excellent in coverage and has impressive aggressiveness on the outside. Look for him to be a late first-round pick or early second-rounder, right in the range of when the Rams pick at No. 29.
2. Hood entered the combine building off a strong Senior Bowl week. He has first-round measurables and added first-round numbers in the 40 (4.44 seconds), vertical jump (40½ inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). Hood is a press-man coverage cornerback at 6 feet and 193 pounds with the broad shoulders to stack up receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is in the mix to be the third cornerback off the board and could land as a top-20 selection. — Miller
Chris Johnson, San Diego State … 6′ 193
1. Johnson should intrigue the Rams with his inside-outside versatility, showing the ability to play on the boundary or in the slot. For a team that likes to move defenders around, that’s an asset. Plus, he was downright dominant in coverage last season, allowing just 18 catches on 43 targets for a total of 185 yards. He didn’t give up a single touchdown catch and picked off four passes. As a second-round prospect, Johnson fits what the Rams should be looking for at the cornerback position.
2. Johnson is creating buzz in league circles and should be included in the first tier of this year’s CB class. At 6 feet, 194 pounds, the biggest question Johnson needed to answer was his long speed. By running a 4.4 40-yard dash, his answer was emphatic, and he continued his ascension up draft boards. Johnson was firmly in the second-round picture entering the combine, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he sneaks into the back end of Round 1. — Reid
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas … 6′ 182
One great aspect of the combine is checking a box to clear questions on a player. Muhammad (6 feet, 182 pounds) was a player whose film showed questionable long speed, but his 40 time of 4.42 seconds should quiet those concerns. He also showed smooth transitions and good overall body control during position drills. Muhammad had only three interceptions in his college career, but his technique and length are those of a late Day 2 pick. — Miller
D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana … 5’9 182
1. Ponds will stir up a lot of debate among evaluators because of his smaller stature. He’s only 5-9, which is undersized for a boundary cornerback, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in competitiveness and technique. The national champion corner was one of the best in the country last season, and though he’ll likely need to move inside in the NFL, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to make that transition. He’s plenty physical enough to cover the slot and help in run support.
2. If I had to pick a team consisting of my favorite players to watch on tape in this class, Ponds would be a starting cornerback. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder is a ball of fury when attacking off the slot or matching up against No. 1 receivers down the field (just watch him against Denzel Boston in 2024). Ponds’ ridiculous 43½-inch vertical jump was the best of any cornerback and helps us understand why he has been so good in 50/50 situations despite limited height. Ponds did not run the 40, but his vertical and on-field drills cemented why he’s a top-50 player on my board. — Miller
Keionte Scott, Miami … 5’11 193
If the Rams want a fiery and physical corner, Scott is their guy. He’s like a bulldog in the secondary, always willing to mix it up and stick his nose in the action at the line of scrimmage. That play style sets the tone for the entire defense, which carries value. Last season alone, he had 13 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
As a slot defender, Scott plays like a safety and can cover like a corner.
Avieon Terrell, Clemson … 5’11 186
1. Terrell lacks some size at 5-11 but he’s excellent in coverage and is position-versatile as a nickel in the slot or a boundary corner. After Delane and McCoy, he might be the highest-rated corner in the draft, especially for teams that are looking for guys with position flexibility.
The brother of Falcons standout corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon is likely to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL, potentially for the Rams if they see him as the best corner available when they go on the clock.
2. Terrell participated in only on-field drills, but he was among the best of the corner group. After having zero interceptions last season, his true ball skills were a question entering the combine. But he showed plenty of comfort with attacking and snatching the ball out of the air Friday. He also displayed excellent hip mobility to turn and transition out of his breaks. Terrell has been labeled as a fringe first-rounder, but I believe the 5-foot-11, 186-pounder will be a top-20 pick. Circle Clemson’s pro day on March 12, as Terrell is expected to participate in all testing and drills and potentially get in that mid-first-round range. — Reid
znModeratorDerrick@Steelers_DB
Been finalizing some more QB evals. This might be the least accurate class I can remember scouting. Outside of Mendoza, it has shown up on basically everyone else’s report in some form or fashionznModeratorBreiden Fehoko@BreidenFehoko
I talked to a scout just now who said he didn’t know what Makai Lemon’s motive was behind his combine interviews but whoever advised the kid needs to be fired. “Absolutely bombed it” word for word.znModeratorNew thread, old topic.
If I was an NFL GM, I would strongly consider taking Kenyon Sadiq in the top 15.
He is arguably the most athletic TE ever, with insane flashes, ridiculous football IQ, and he aced every NFL combine interview.
An NFL coach said: "It was the best interview I've ever had." pic.twitter.com/s1nUhZbR7i
— Cam (@42Cyc) March 1, 2026
znModeratorthink people think McVay can work magic with QBs because of Baker Mayfield’s reset with the Rams. But Baker is a top-flight QB. Kyler and Richardson are something else.
Btw, i dunno what i think of McVay as a QB-developer. Stafford was Stafford. And Goff…?
mcvay…was too immature as a head coach and gave up too early. he’s older and wiser and you’d think he’d be more patient. we’ll see.
+1
Itza question.
znModeratorBulger. Sigh. Bulger, Bradford and Everett — all three kinda sorta engender mixed-up-feelings in wv-brain.
One issue clouding this with almost all Rams qbs is tenure. How long they were in the position. Warner was an all-season starter for 3 years. Bulger, 7 years. Everett, 8 years. Bradford, 4 years. Goff, 6 years.
Grabriel–11 years.
znModeratorLAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Jeremiyah Love puts Kyren Williams in his top 5 RBs“He’s pretty nice… I feel like he’s underrated.”
znModeratorAdam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, a potential top 10 pick, was timed by several NFL executives and GMs on Saturday with a 40 time in the range of 4.45-4.47 seconds.Field Yates@FieldYates
2 things I’d chime in with here:1. Tate’s speed was rarely an issue on tape. He’s also an awesome route-runner, with great hands and body control
2. I’ve had evaluators share with me that his time was sub 4.50 as well. His speed isn’t viewed as a concern
Top 10 player to me
Sam Block@theblockspot
Before his 40 time…
Carnell Tate – The best WR in the Class.After his 40 time…
Carnell Tate – The best WR in the Class.…
from https://www.nfl.com/prospects/carnell-tate/32005441-5414-3045-dbdb-77216e7df5a8
Prospect Info
College: Ohio State
Junior
Height: 6’ 2’’
Weight: 192 lbs
Arm: 31 3/4’’
Hand: 10 1/4’’Overview
Ascending “Z” receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.
znModeratorNFL Fashion Advice@fashion_nfl
If you want an All-Pro tackle, you need to expend premium draft capital. Over the last five seasons and across the 20 total AP All-Pro tackle slots, 95% were first rounders and 90% were taken 13th or earlier.znModeratorJimEverett@Jimeverett
Due to the lack of teams willing to eat the contract, it’s looking more likely that the Cardinals will release Kyler Murray. Cardinals move on but what’s Kyler’s next move?Possible: Vikings (depending on Cousins interest) and Jets may have interest.
But allow me to suggest a CAREER RESET? IMHO, how about signing a friendly veteran rate to work with @RamsNFL
’s McVay and with the coach that drafted you (Kliff Kingsbury).
Make a superbowl run with a team that may need a veteran to fill in the EX-MVP during a 2026 campaign while rehabbing your career while learning the latest and greatest system to possibly take over in 2027? Or jump with Kliff when he gets his new gig. Just say’n….znModeratorfrom How the Combine Changed the Rams Draft Board
Brock Vierra
https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/los-angeles-how-combine-changed-draft-board
WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams are notorious for skipping the NFC Combine, often sending scouts and/or other team officials, while their top brass stays away from Indianapolis. History has proven this to be a wise strategy and to be frank, considering the Rams have only made one selection in the first round since Sean McVay became head coach ten years ago.
While 2026 promises to change that trend, especially since the Rams have two first-round picks, there is no guarantee the team will use those selections on day one of the draft. In 2025, the Rams traded their first round pick on draft day to the Falcons, allowing them to pick up their 2026 selection.
The Rams also have the option to leverage those picks for veteran players on the trade market. Whatever the Rams decide to do, their board was drastically changed based on various events at the NFL Combine….
…with defenders, especially on the defensive line expected to be taken early, the team may either have to move up for a cornerback or stay patient and land a premier receiver at 13.
The other big story is that the Rams spoke to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at the Combine. Love, a star player, has drawn comparisons to Todd Gurley in the past. Love would likely supersede the team’s common practice of “redshirting” rookie running backs, but if Love is drafted, the futures of Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter would be bleak.
znModeratorHawkMania@hawkmania4
Here are the players that the #Seahawks interviewed during the draft combine:Kind of telling who the team may or may not be going after per position:
IOL Micah Morris
WR Makai Lemon
WR Jordyn Tyson
WR Elijah Sarratt
TE DJ Rogers
S USC Kamari Ramsey
S Zakee Wheatley
S Dillon Thieneman
CB Devin Moore
CB D’Angelo Ponds
CB Avieon Terrell
CB Keith Abney
CB Brandon Cisse
EDGE Wesley Williams
EDGE Zion Young
EDGE Logan FanoznModeratori know all this speculating is kinda silly, but i can’t help it. haha. something to tide me over until the draft.
I wasn’t making fun of you! Though now I can see how it could come across that way. It’s just a default thing I do, where for fun I play the role of “really bad Rams poster.” For example, like when I argue that Erik Diccersun was the best TE the Rams ever had. When I did “bad poster” this time I was actually thinking about how good we have it now with Rams management mostly doing the right things, compared to the past where they would spend a very high pick on a Jason Smith or Greg Robinson.
I do see the value of the argument that with 13 you take an elite offensive game changer. Or, those kinds of guys being there at 13 could mean an opportunity to trade down.
I am just in a different camp, where for me there are CBs worth the 13th pick…so take one and and then take another at 29 or in round 2. I just think it’s incredible good fortune to have such a dire need and then hit a draft where that need is a draft strength. My inclinations are, if you have a problem area on your team, you don’t just fix it, you turn it into a strength.
Anyway. Till it happens it’s just fun to talk about the possibilities.
I’ll put Mr. “really bad Rams poster” away for a bit…
znModeratorI’m torn, but I think they should trade up from 13, but once they do, I don’t know if they should take Greg Robinson, Jason Smith, or Adam Carriker. Of course they could also get Lawrence Phillips.
znModeratorArkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. was emotional after running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, the top time at RB this year.
NFL Network's Stacey Dales: "He broke down in tears again with me. He said, 'I'm so emotional… I've worked my whole life for this.'"pic.twitter.com/fRBP6zDb0J
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 28, 2026
znModeratorMissed tackle percentages for each team during the 2025 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/iyPrYCK8dE
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) February 28, 2026
znModeratorThe #Bears are hoping to retain Case Keenum, not as a quarterback, but as a coach and continued mentor for Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent.https://t.co/jC3rG6ii9y
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) February 28, 2026
znModeratorKurt Warner@kurt13warner
Sitting here watching QBs at the combine & remember wanting an invite so bad! I remember being told my Grade was higher than others but I was passed up for QBs that played at bigger schools, bc that meant they had bigger upside!Moments like this getting me thinking & wondering HOW I got a chance with such limited OPPs… I remain forever grateful to the FEW who thought “what the heck”, he’s been successful everywhere, albeit small school, small league, small field, so let’s see if he can do it in the BIG time!
znModeratorPonds’ ridiculous 43½-inch vertical jump was the best of any cornerback and helps us understand why he has been so good in 50/50 situations despite limited height.
D'Angelo Ponds just TIED Sonny Styles' vertical jump 😳
🐰 Vertical Jump:
Ponds – 43.5
Styles – 43.5📏 Height:
Ponds – 5' 9''
Styles – 6' 5' pic.twitter.com/2t1uekhmq7— DraftKings (@DraftKings) February 27, 2026
znModeratorMatthew Stafford’s best throws from 457-yard, 3-TD game | Week 16
znModeratorthe more i read the more i think the rams should trade down.
I’m not so convinced of that myself. I would like to see them use pick 13 on the highest ranking 1st-round worthy CB on the board (of course they would have to see whoever it is as a fit). That’s even if the odds are that CB, if the Rams didn’t take him, would fall to somewhere in the 20s.
I can see them trading pick 29 down but then who’s gonna wanta trade up to 29? … Well it could happen I suppose.b But I ain’t gonna bet the mortgage on it.
znModeratorAJ Schulte@AJSchulteFB
Colton Hood is putting on a show so far in drills.Outstanding day imo
He and Terrell both backing up the first round status today.
Smooth as butter
Dane Brugler@dpbrugler
Chris Johnson is currently No. 38 in my top-100. Sticky cover man w/ instincts.Low 4.4s speed, 38″ vert, 10’6″ broad
One of “my guys” in this class.
znModeratorIf this is truly a CB-heavy draft I hope that the Rams pick 3 of them. I was disappointed that they ignored the position in last year’s draft. Of course, my mind could change depending on what they do in the FA/trade market, but both the secondary and ST need an influx of talent and multiple CB’s would obviously help both areas if they find some good ones. I still expect a CB and an offensive playmaker (most likely WR) in the first round, but I would not bristle if they picked two CB’s in the first.
I keep reading that the Dolphins at 11, and the Cowboys at 12 are looking to add a CB.
This is annoying.
w
vExcept this is a really deep draft at CB. It’s not as flashy at the top as some CB drafts, but it’s solid. Rams need to add more than one anyway. They may not get the best one but they need to get at least 2 good 1s, and they can.
***
CBs seen as going in rounds 1 through 3….alphabetical
This is after day 2 of the Combine
descriptions are taken from 2 articles:
…
Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy did not to participate in drills
Brandon Cisse, South Carolina … 6′ 189
1. Cisse should be a target for the Rams at the end of the first round. He’s one of the best corners in this class, bringing great athleticism to the table. His ball skills leave something to be desired but everywhere else, he’s really impressive.
At the combine on Friday, he should wow scouts with his athleticism, potentially sending his stock higher. Plus, his ability in run support gives him an edge over some other corners.
2. Hamstring tightness while warming up for the 40-yard dash ended Cisse’s day before he could run or showcase his talents in positional drills, but he impressed in his jumps before shutting it down. Cisse (6 feet, 189 pounds) hit 41 inches on his vertical leap and 10-foot-11 on the broad jump — both excellent numbers for the likely first-rounder. He’ll run the 40-yard dash and do positional drills at South Carolina’s pro day March 17. — Miller
Tacario Davis, Washington … 6’4 194
1. If the Rams are looking for some size on the outside to help replace Ahkello Witherspoon, Davis should warrant some consideration. He’s 6-4, 200 pounds, which is wiry for a defensive back but helps him in coverage. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees him as a better zone corner than man defender, making him a good fit for the Rams. With his slimmer frame, run support isn’t a strong suit of Davis’, but the Rams need guys who can cover first and stop the run second.
2. Davis is one of the most uniquely built players in this class, standing at 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.41 40, an excellent time for a player of his stature and an important data point for teams that prioritize his traits — length, ball-disruption skills and ability to play press coverage (he has logged 267 snaps of press over the past three seasons). Though Davis won’t fit every scheme, there will be a subset of teams that I believe will value him as soon as the third round. — Yates
Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia … 6’1 196
Everette caught my eye early in the cornerback workouts and continued that performance all the way through. At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he ran an impressive 4.36 40-yard dash. His jumps were equally great, as he jumped 37½ inches in the vertical and 10-foot-4 in the broad jump. Everette is viewed as a midround prospect, carrying lots of Round 3 grades from scouts that I have talked to. A scheme-versatile corner, he’s best suited for teams that specialize in zone coverage but occasionally mix in man-to-man principles. — Reid
Colton Hood, Tennessee … 6′ 193
1. Hood isn’t the biggest cornerback at 5-foot-11 but he plays the position physically and is a willing tackler in run support. Though he gets overlooked sometimes by his teammate Jermod McCoy, Hood is excellent in coverage and has impressive aggressiveness on the outside. Look for him to be a late first-round pick or early second-rounder, right in the range of when the Rams pick at No. 29.
2. Hood entered the combine building off a strong Senior Bowl week. He has first-round measurables and added first-round numbers in the 40 (4.44 seconds), vertical jump (40½ inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). Hood is a press-man coverage cornerback at 6 feet and 193 pounds with the broad shoulders to stack up receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is in the mix to be the third cornerback off the board and could land as a top-20 selection. — Miller
Chris Johnson, San Diego State … 6′ 193
1. Johnson should intrigue the Rams with his inside-outside versatility, showing the ability to play on the boundary or in the slot. For a team that likes to move defenders around, that’s an asset. Plus, he was downright dominant in coverage last season, allowing just 18 catches on 43 targets for a total of 185 yards. He didn’t give up a single touchdown catch and picked off four passes. As a second-round prospect, Johnson fits what the Rams should be looking for at the cornerback position.
2. Johnson is creating buzz in league circles and should be included in the first tier of this year’s CB class. At 6 feet, 194 pounds, the biggest question Johnson needed to answer was his long speed. By running a 4.4 40-yard dash, his answer was emphatic, and he continued his ascension up draft boards. Johnson was firmly in the second-round picture entering the combine, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he sneaks into the back end of Round 1. — Reid
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas … 6′ 182
One great aspect of the combine is checking a box to clear questions on a player. Muhammad (6 feet, 182 pounds) was a player whose film showed questionable long speed, but his 40 time of 4.42 seconds should quiet those concerns. He also showed smooth transitions and good overall body control during position drills. Muhammad had only three interceptions in his college career, but his technique and length are those of a late Day 2 pick. — Miller
D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana … 5’9 182
1. Ponds will stir up a lot of debate among evaluators because of his smaller stature. He’s only 5-9, which is undersized for a boundary cornerback, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in competitiveness and technique. The national champion corner was one of the best in the country last season, and though he’ll likely need to move inside in the NFL, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to make that transition. He’s plenty physical enough to cover the slot and help in run support.
2. If I had to pick a team consisting of my favorite players to watch on tape in this class, Ponds would be a starting cornerback. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder is a ball of fury when attacking off the slot or matching up against No. 1 receivers down the field (just watch him against Denzel Boston in 2024). Ponds’ ridiculous 43½-inch vertical jump was the best of any cornerback and helps us understand why he has been so good in 50/50 situations despite limited height. Ponds did not run the 40, but his vertical and on-field drills cemented why he’s a top-50 player on my board. — Miller
Keionte Scott, Miami … 5’11 193
If the Rams want a fiery and physical corner, Scott is their guy. He’s like a bulldog in the secondary, always willing to mix it up and stick his nose in the action at the line of scrimmage. That play style sets the tone for the entire defense, which carries value. Last season alone, he had 13 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
As a slot defender, Scott plays like a safety and can cover like a corner.
Avieon Terrell, Clemson … 5’11 186
1. Terrell lacks some size at 5-11 but he’s excellent in coverage and is position-versatile as a nickel in the slot or a boundary corner. After Delane and McCoy, he might be the highest-rated corner in the draft, especially for teams that are looking for guys with position flexibility.
The brother of Falcons standout corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon is likely to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL, potentially for the Rams if they see him as the best corner available when they go on the clock.
2. Terrell participated in only on-field drills, but he was among the best of the corner group. After having zero interceptions last season, his true ball skills were a question entering the combine. But he showed plenty of comfort with attacking and snatching the ball out of the air Friday. He also displayed excellent hip mobility to turn and transition out of his breaks. Terrell has been labeled as a fringe first-rounder, but I believe the 5-foot-11, 186-pounder will be a top-20 pick. Circle Clemson’s pro day on March 12, as Terrell is expected to participate in all testing and drills and potentially get in that mid-first-round range. — Reid
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