from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/03/11/free-agency-rams-roster-needs-draft-positions/89103495007/?taid=69b1e5f4bee12000015e147f&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Edge rusher

The Rams will be just fine if they don’t add an edge rusher this offseason, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Byron Young is entering the final year of his rookie contract and after signing McDuffie and Watson to big contracts, paying Young (and Nacua, Kobie Turner, Steve Avila, Jared Verse…) could prove challenging.

Some of the best defenses of the last few years have deployed waves of edge rushers in big games, keeping everyone fresh. If the Rams can have three or four quality edge rushers in their rotation, it’ll only help Young, Verse and the entire defense.

5 things to know about new Rams CB Jaylen Watson

Wyatt Miller

https://www.therams.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-new-rams-cb-jaylen-watson

The Rams agreed to terms with former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson on a three-year deal in free agency, reuniting him with his running mate from Kansas City, Trent McDuffie.

Here are five things to know about the Rams’ new corner.

1) College career began at Ventura College, just outside of Los Angeles
Watson spent two years at Ventura College, just outside Los Angeles, logging eight interceptions in 23 games. In 2020, he earned a scholarship to Washington State, where he played for his final two collegiate seasons.

2) Worked at Wendy’s with his mom after his time playing it Junior College
After his sophomore season, Watson signed an NLI to play at USC but was ruled academically ineligible to transfer there. So, he moved home briefly, where he worked with his mom at Wendy’s to help pay the bills. It’s reminiscent of the path that Rams outside linebacker Byron Young took to put himself through Georgia Military Academy.

“I was never given anything,” Watson told Chiefs.com. “I’ve had to work for everything. I think that gives me an edge on the football field as well.”

3) A former seventh-round pick
Watson made the most of his opportunity at Washington State, despite playing in just 15 games. The Chiefs selected Watson with the No. 243 pick in the 2022 draft. However, he quickly ascended into an impact player, starting six games as a rookie and two in his second pro season. He’s started all 21 regular season games he’s appeared in since 2024.

4) Allowed the 10th-lowest passer rating when targeted in 2025 among cornerbacks with 200-plus coverage snaps (69.0)
Watson enjoyed a career year in 2025, hauling in a career-high two interceptions in 15 games. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn’t allow a single touchdown reception in coverage.

5) Has played very tight coverage since entering the league
According to Next Gen Stats, Watson has forced the fifth-highest percentage of tight-window throws (less than one yard of separation) since his rookie season in 2022 at 30.4%. Only Sauce Gardner, Patrick Surtain II, Joey Porter Jr. and Tyson Campbell are ahead of him in that statistic.

Trent McDuffie’s Top Career Plays In The NFL

There is a lot more to chew on, but some thoughts on the fallout of the voided Maxx Crosby trade with Baltimore – including Trey Hendrickson’s entrance into the mix. pic.twitter.com/BfffO546vT

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 11, 2026

Zooey wrote:

Boy, the Ravens signing Hendrickson this morning is a bad look for them

Field Yates@FieldYates
The Ravens’ pivot from Maxx Crosby to Trey Hendrickson.

The Crosby trade was for two firsts and he was due $112.93M in base value for the next 4 years.

They now sign Trey Hendrickson for $112M over the next 4 years.

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
By the letter of the law, the @Ravens didn’t break any rules by backing out of the Maxx Crosby deal. But they breached an honor element, and there are some angry people in NFL circles right now as a result.

Jason La Canfora@JasonLaCanfora
Trey Hendrickson has more medical red flags than Maxx Crosby. He can’t play the run or rush the passer like Maxx Crosby … But the Ravens get to the keep their picks. What really went on here?

from https://ramblinfan.com/chiefs-expert-reveals-truth-rams-fans-should-know-about-jaylen-watson

Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict, FanSided’s Chiefs site, offered some insight on Watson that will help Rams fans familiarize themselves more with their new cornerback. It’s insight that Rams fans will be delighted to hear.

“Jaylen Watson has climbed the Chiefs’ depth chart from former seventh-round flyer providing rotational reps to impact starter for a Super Bowl contender. He learned from L’Jarius Sneed and flourished when he left, providing a very physical boundary presence with real blitzing ability. The Chiefs draft-and-develop reputation is strong enough that they’ll let him leave for a big payday, but the success of Charvarius Ward points the way toward future expectations here.”

Zooey wrote:

The Raiders are pretty fucked right now.

I decided to start a new thread on this (nothing here has to be moved).

But there are so many “name brand” tweets on this, it would overwhelm this thread.

InvaderRam wrote:

curl will be in his age 27 season. lake in his age 27 season. kinchens will be 24. mcduffie 26 and watson 28. a young secondary that should be at or are around their prime years.

wv wrote:

On paper this is the best defense they’ve had in quite some time. On paper.

w
v

What I hope to see this year:

1. Better tackling.
2. Obviously, more cohesive and effectice CB play.
3. Along with that, a more effective pass rush…it fell off a bit in 2025 from a promising new start in 2024.

Could be those boxes have all been checked.

.@RamsNFL @ChicagoBears @KCurl_2 maybe the best defensive player on the field in this playoff thriller was Curl….Rams make sure they lock him up for another "Deep Run". #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/i8EPFltNzt

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) March 10, 2026

The Rams’ acquisition of CB Trent McDuffie remains one of the best offseason moves thus far. pic.twitter.com/Kfu4KYCvgL

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 10, 2026

NFL Stats@NFL_Stats
Current cap space remaining for each NFL team:

Commanders $75.7M
Raiders – $71.3M
Chargers – $67.3M
Jets – $49.9M
Titans – $43.9M
Seahawks – $45.6M
Cardinals – $36.1M
Patriots – $31.8M
Packers – $30.6M
Bengals – $30.5M
Colts – $23.7M
Rams – $22.3M
Texans – $21.7M
Saints – $20.8M
49ers – $20.5M
Chiefs – $19.8M
Steelers – $18.1M
Giants – $17.0M
Broncos – $16.9M
Eagles – $13.7M
Falcons – $13.4M
Bears – $13.4M
Jaguars – $10.8M
Panthers – $7.3M
Lions – $5.5M
Browns – $3.3M
Buccaneers – $2.1M
Dolphins – ($6.1M)
Vikings – ($6.2M)
Ravens – ($10.3M)
Bills – ($11.6M)
Cowboys – ($22.8M)

(Estimated via http://Spotrac.com)

HoldenCantor@HoldenCantor
Cardinals apparently “struck out” with Jimmy G, my sense is Jimmy wants to be back with Sean McVay and the Rams. They’re in talks to bring him back. Anything can happen but he should be back.

wv wrote:

Would you like to know more about how I can adapt my persona to be more helpful in our conversations? “

Yes. Speak in German, backwards, and reverse all number values: 0 is now 9, 1 is now 8, and so on.

from Seth Walder: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47911726/2026-nfl-free-agency-grades-signings-trades-latest-best-worst-deals-draft-outlook#watson

Rams sign CB Jaylen Watson

Terms: Three years, $54 million, per NFL Network

Grade: B+

Watson and Trent McDuffie are reunited again.

The Rams knew their weakness last season was their cornerbacks, so they haven’t held back in addressing the issue. They started by trading for McDuffie and handing him a huge contract, then they added Watson to bring the former Chiefs cornerbacks back together.

The issue is solved on paper. McDuffie is a premier corner and Watson has been a consistently strong player in Kansas City. In each of the past four seasons, Watson has allowed 1.1 yards per coverage snap (average for an outside corner) or better. And that consistency is meaningful. I would much rather invest in a cornerback who plays well year after year than someone coming off a single great season given how erratic cornerback play can be from one year to the next.

There is also something to be said for having multiple strong cornerbacks. Pass coverage can be a weak link system, meaning that a single strong cornerback can help but if the player opposite him is poor in coverage, opponents still can pick on the weaker player. A defense with two good corners is much harder to defeat.

The Rams are doubling down on a very particular risk here — the Steve Spagnuolo factor. We’ve seen defensive backs have great success under Spagnuolo and struggle to reach that same level elsewhere. If that continues, it could cost the Rams double.

But $18 million really isn’t too big a price to pay here. It’s what I thought Watson would go for but it’s also a far cry from the $31 million McDuffie got this weekend. And the theoretical top (if we adjust for cap inflation) is just over $32 million.

Watson doesn’t have to be a star to pay off. And the Rams — who actually are among the teams with the most 2027 cap space right now, per OverTheCap.com — are trying to maximize their Super Bowl window before Matthew Stafford retires. I also don’t love a lot of the alternatives in the free agent market, so locking in the second part of the former Chiefs tandem makes sense to me.

69RamFan

Now we have an outstanding Nickel Package, Watson, Curl, Kinchens, Lake & McDuffie

Then to add for our Dime package: Forbes and McCollough

On paper we now have a Super Bowl Defense!

Watson will be the CB who will cover those big WR, the likes of Evans who the Whiners plan on signing. While McD will be covering JSN. As for Forbes, I can see him playing the nickel, if an offense brings in 11PG and he’ll be covering their smaller/WR3.