The Los Angeles Rams aimed to acquire an elite cornerback this offseason to better cover opposing teams’ primary receivers. Among the players they showed interest in was former Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey. However, Ramsey was eventually traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving the Rams without a true CB1.
Despite lacking Ramsey or another standout cornerback in their secondary, the Rams’ defense remains one of the better units in the league. Through seven games and heading into their bye week, Los Angeles is allowing only 16.7 points per game. They continue to be regarded as strong Super Bowl contenders, but some NFL analysts believe the team still needs to bolster its cornerback depth to reach the ultimate goal.
**Trading for a Young Cornerback**
The Rams’ defense is allowing 208.3 passing yards per game, ranking 13th fewest in the NFL, even without a clear CB1. Adding to their challenges, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon suffered a broken collarbone in Week 2 of the 2025 season and won’t return until near the end of the year. Witherspoon was expected to play a key role in the defense, but his absence has forced adjustments.
Christopher Kline of FanSided suggests that Los Angeles should trade for New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor to strengthen their secondary during the regular season and for a postseason push. Kline writes:
> “The Saints are in full-blown tank mode, which puts 26-year-old Alontae Taylor squarely on the trade block. It would take a lot for the Los Angeles Rams to pry him out of New Orleans, but Taylor is a soon-to-be free agent with a high price tag. New Orleans might see the writing on the wall. The Los Angeles Rams’ offense continues to pull out the necessary stops to compete every week, but injuries have put their defense in a compromised state. Taylor helps a ton in the secondary.
> With a sack and 35 tackles on the season to date, Taylor has proven his capacity to defend all over the field and impact the game in myriad ways. His athleticism and aggression are infectious, and he’s sure to embrace the chance to compete for a Super Bowl on a talented L.A. roster.”
Currently, the average age of cornerbacks on the Rams’ 53-man roster, including nickel backs, is 27 years old. Taylor, at 26, is just a year younger than that average. A trade for him would add a bit of youth to the secondary. When Witherspoon returns, it will increase the average age since he is 30 years old.
**Alontae Taylor in Los Angeles**
When Jalen Ramsey was drafted fifth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, analysts described him as aggressive and versatile—two words that Kline also uses to describe Alontae Taylor. Ramsey eventually became one of the best cornerbacks in the league, posting some of his finest seasons with the Rams.
If head coach Sean McVay can add another player with similar qualities to Taylor, it raises the intriguing possibility of replicating Ramsey’s impact. This season, Taylor has allowed 218 receiving yards and 27 completed passes for the 1-7 Saints. With better support in the secondary and defensive front, Taylor’s opponents’ completion percentage—currently at 67.5%—could decrease significantly, which would be a welcome improvement for Los Angeles.
As the Rams look to maintain their status as playoff contenders and Super Bowl hopefuls, acquiring a cornerback like Alontae Taylor could be a key piece to solidify their defense and navigate the challenges ahead.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/los-angeles-rams/rams-urged-acquire-cornerback-alontae-taylor/
