{"id":713388,"date":"2026-01-29T06:51:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T06:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/713388\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T06:51:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T06:51:18","slug":"8-positions-la-should-address-in-2026-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/713388\/","title":{"rendered":"8 positions LA should address in 2026 offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jan. 28, 2026, 11:29 a.m. PT<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Rams are just a few days removed from their heartbreaking loss to the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> in the NFC Championship Game. They’re still picking up the pieces from what was a promising season<\/a>, but they can’t spend too much time sulking and thinking about what could’ve been.<\/p>\n

Their offseason work begins now, with the Senior Bowl taking place this week and free agency<\/a> a month and a half away. And as Les Snead and Sean McVay take a look at the construction of the Rams’ roster, they’ll see several positions that require attention.<\/p>\n

Here’s an early look at the Rams’ eight biggest roster needs heading into the 2026 offseason.<\/p>\n

Cornerback<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one position on this team that needs to be completely overhauled, it\u2019s cornerback. It won\u2019t take much for the Rams to move on from some of their current corners, either. Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon are both pending free agents, as is Roger McCreary.<\/p>\n

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The team can save $7.5 million by cutting Darious Williams, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is only on the books for $2.85 million in 2026.<\/p>\n

The cornerback group cost the Rams against the Seahawks, getting picked apart by Sam Darnold and Seattle\u2019s receiving corps. Really, the entire defense did, but the cornerbacks struggled badly to slow the Seahawks down, exposing the greatest weakness of this team.<\/p>\n

The Rams haven\u2019t selected a cornerback in the first two rounds since Lamarcus Joyner in 2014, and he wound up being a safety. It\u2019s long overdue for them to sink some serious assets into this position.<\/p>\n

Wide receiver<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great that the Rams have both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams under contract in 2026. What\u2019s not so great is the depth behind them. Tutu Atwell is a free agent again after flopping this season on a $10 million contract. Jordan Whittington is still more of a return specialist\/offensive weapon than a true receiver, and Konata Mumpfield has average traits that could make it tough for him to rise the depth chart.<\/p>\n

Under Sean McVay, the Rams have almost always had three starting-caliber receivers to utilize. It\u2019s why they\u2019ve had such heavy usage of 11 personnel. Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. Woods, Kupp and Brandin Cooks. Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr. (Woods replacement) and Van Jefferson.<\/p>\n

They could really use a No. 3 receiver in 2026 to draw attention away from Nacua and Adams and open the offense up. Whether it\u2019s a legitimate field-stretcher or a big, physical wideout on the outside, the Rams should look into all options.<\/p>\n

Offensive tackle<\/p>\n

Offensive tackle isn\u2019t as pressing a need as it once appeared to be thanks to the emergence of Warren McClendon Jr. at right tackle. He\u2019s signed through 2026 and performed like one of the top right tackles in football after taking Rob Havenstein\u2019s place.<\/p>\n

However, the Rams could still use some depth at this position. Neither D.J. Humphries nor David Quessenberry should be considered long-term backups for the Rams, and they\u2019re both pending free agents anyway.<\/p>\n

With Havenstein set to be a free agent and considering retirement, too, Los Angeles is missing a quality backup on both the left and right sides of the line.<\/p>\n

Kicker<\/p>\n

Harrison Mevis did a stellar job after replacing Joshua Karty as the Rams\u2019 kicker. He only missed one kick all year and just about everything he struck went right down the middle \u2013 whether it was field goals or PATs. He\u2019s a pending free agent but should at least get a chance to compete for the job in camp.<\/p>\n

Even if the Rams bring him back, they should sign another kicker to battle for the job this summer. They should have ample Day 3 draft picks so that\u2019s also an option, but signing a kicker they can trust seems like the safer route.<\/p>\n

Return specialist<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t reactionary after Xavier Smith\u2019s muffed punt. The Rams have long needed a weapon in the return game, and Smith isn\u2019t it. He was 13th in the NFL in punt return yards this season but averaged just 9.3 yards per return. Only six players with 20-plus punt returns averaged less.<\/p>\n

The Rams weren\u2019t much better in the kick return game, either. Jordan Whittington and Ronnie Rivers were OK, but neither had a huge impact in that area of special teams. After leaning on Smith and others for the last couple of years, it\u2019s time for a change \u2013\u00a0especially with a new special teams coordinator likely coming in.<\/p>\n

Quarterback<\/p>\n

Quarterback will become a much greater need if Matthew Stafford decides he\u2019s done playing football. But even if he returns, Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent (again) and Stetson Bennett remains stuck in the QB3 spot.<\/p>\n

After passing over quarterback prospects in the draft last year, maybe now is the time for them to take a swing on a rookie in the draft. Even if it\u2019s not a first-rounder, the Rams should consider drafting a young quarterback to mold and develop, knowing Stafford\u2019s retirement is on the horizon\u00a0in the next couple of years.<\/p>\n

They may not get the chance to draft as early as No. 13 overall again soon so using that pick from the Falcons on a quarterback is a possibility \u2013 though it is a weak QB class.<\/p>\n

Inside linebacker<\/p>\n

Nate Landman is locked in after signing an extension mid-season, but Omar Speights should not be handed a starting job in 2026. He\u2019ll need to earn it. He showed some glaring weaknesses this season, particularly in coverage. And the Rams could really use a linebacker who excels in space.<\/p>\n

Upgrading from Speights to a rangy, speedy linebacker could make a world of difference. That would give them a nice complement to Landman, who\u2019s a downhill run stopper that also struggles in space.<\/p>\n

Safety<\/p>\n

It might be tough for the Rams to justify re-signing Kamren Curl to a big contract after giving Quentin Lake one this year, but keeping him would eliminate safety from their list of needs for at least a few more seasons.<\/p>\n

Kamren Kinchens should keep ascending and Jaylen McCollough is serviceable when playing close to the line of scrimmage. But the Rams don\u2019t necessarily have a safety who can replace Curl playing deep. Lake can play there but his best position has become the slot.<\/p>\n

Safety shouldn\u2019t be high on the Rams\u2019 list of top needs, but it\u2019s something to consider addressing in the offseason.<\/p>\n

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