Snead’s Snacks: 5 best fits for the Rams at cornerback

Which draft prospects are the best fits for the Rams at cornerback

The Los Angeles Rams could be looking to add a cornerback in the 2024 NFL Draft. While they added Tre White and Darious Williams in free agency, taking a cornerback in the first round isn’t totally out of the question. Given how their young cornerbacks played last year, they could most certainly look to add to the position in the middle rounds.

Since the 2020 NFL Draft, I’ve done a series called Snead’s Snacks. In other words, we’re going to find and look at common themes and traits of previous Les Snead draft picks and see which players in the upcoming NFL Draft fit the mold for the Rams.

The focus for today’s edition of “Snead’s Snacks” will be in the secondary at cornerback. Over past years, I’ve correctly predicted Cobie Durant and Robert Rochell as potential draft picks.

2024 Snead’s Snacks

• Which Defensive Linemen in draft can help fill Aaron Donald void?
• These 5 Edge Players are the best fits for the Rams defense
• Which receivers best fit next to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp?
• Who’s a fit on the offensive line in Rams new blocking scheme?

Notable Past Rams Drafted Players

Tre Tomlinson, TCU – 4th Round

Measurables:

Height: 5’7 (1st percentile)

Weight: 178-pounds (5th percentile)

Arm Length: 29 inches (1st percentile)

Broad Jump: 132 inches (93rd percentile)

Vertical: 39 inches (83rd percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds (78th percentile)

Size Grade: Very Poor

Speed Grade: Elite

Explosion Grade: Okay

RAS: 5.1 – Okay

Traits:

• Good ball skills/ball production
• Tackler in run support
• Physical and versatile player with high end speed

Overview of Pick

Tomlinson showed some flashes in the preseason, but didn’t get a lot of action once the regular season started. He’ll likely continue to play on special teams and provide depth in the slot.

Cobie Durant, South Carolina State – 4th Round

Measurables:

Height: 5’9 (12th percentile)

Weight: 180-pounds (8th percentile)

Arm Length: 30.75 inches (26th percentile)

Shuttle: 4.4 seconds

Broad Jump: 117 inches

Vertical: 36 inches

3-cone: 7.02 seconds

40-yard dash: 4.38 seconds (89th percentile)

Size Grade: Very Poor

Speed Grade: Elite

Explosion Grade: Okay

RAS: 5.1 – Okay

Traits:

• Good ball skills/ball production
• Plays bigger than his size
• Fast/Quick feet

Overview of Pick

It made perfect sense why the Rams chose Durant in the fourth-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. To put in frankly, he was a perfect fit. The Rams haven’t targeted big cornerbacks in the past and Durant’s speed matched up perfect with what Snead has looked for at the position.

Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia – 6th Round

Measurables:

Height: 5’11 (58th percentile)

Weight: 195-pounds (56th percentile)

Arm Length: 31 inches (34th percentile)

Broad Jump: 114 inches

Vertical: 31 inches

40-yard dash: 4.79 seconds

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: Very Poor

Explosion Grade: Very Poor

RAS: 1.51 – Poor

Traits:

• Good ball skills/soft hands
• Scheme diverse
• Good aggression and physicality in run game
• Excellent play speed/reacts quick

Overview of Pick

Derion Kendrick was a bit of a surprise pick given his lack of speed in the 40-yard dash. However, he played faster on tape and showcased good ball skills and tackling ability. He may not be a starting caliber cornerback, but he’s shown he can be a spot starter.

Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas – 4th Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’0 (57th percentile)

Weight: 193-pounds (52nd percentile)

Arm Length: 32.375 inches (82nd percentile)

Shuttle: 4.08 seconds (69th percentile)

Broad Jump: 133 inches (96th percentile)

Vertical: 43 inches (98th percentile)

3-cone: 6.84 seconds (71st percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.41 seconds (79th percentile)

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: Elite

Explosion Grade: Elite

RAS: 9.65 – Elite

Traits:

• Elite physical traits
• Legitimate ball skills
• Physical
• Explosive with long arms

Overview of Pick

Robert Rochell was someone who I featured in this same series as an honorable mention player. The Rams selected him in the fourth-round and it’s clear to see why. He matched their profile with his elite physical attributes, long arms, and physicality.

David Long, CB, Michigan – 3rd Round

Measurables:

Height: 5’10 (32nd percentile)

Weight 196-pounds (64th percentile)

Arm Length: 30.875 inches (30th percentile)

Shuttle: 3.97 seconds (90th percentile)

Broad Jump: 120 inches (36th percentile)

Vertical: 39.5 inches (87th percentile)

3-cone: 6.45 seconds (98th percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.45 seconds (64th percentile)

Size Grade: Good

Speed Grade: Good

Explosion Grade: Good

RAS: 9.19 – Elite

Traits:

• Physical
• Fast
• Competitor
• Plays bigger than his size

Overview of Pick

David Long was drafted in the third-round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He didn’t much of an impact with the Rams. Long was a free agent this offseason and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana – 2nd Round

Measurables:

Height: 6’1 (93rd percentile)

Weight: 204-pounds (88th percentile)

Arm Length: 33.25 inches (95th percentile)

Shuttle: 4.15 seconds (56th percentile)

Broad Jump: 122 inches (51st percentile)

Vertical: 35.5 inches (36th percentile)

3-cone: 7.2 seconds (7th percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.61 seconds (14th percentile)

Size Grade: Elite

Speed Grade: Poor

Explosion Grade: Good

RAS: 5.81 – Good

Traits:

• Good size
• Good ball skills
• Physical

Overview of Pick

Trumaine Johnson had the size, but never showed the ability to be a true top cornerback in the NFL. He proved that when he signed his large contract with the New York Jets. Johnson was able to make up for his lack of speed and consistency with his size and length.

Notable Past Rams Undrafted Players

Troy Hill, CB, Oregon – 2015 UDFA

Measurables:

Height: 5’10 (22nd percentile)

Weight: 182-pounds (11th percentile)

Arm Length: 29.5 inches (3rd percentile)

Shuttle: 4.15 (40th percentile)

Broad Jump: 10.02 feet (36th percentile)

3-cone: 6.65 seconds (74th percentile)

40-yard dash: 4.54 seconds (28th percentile)

Vertical: 34 inches (10th percentile)

Size Grade: Poor

Speed Grade: Okay

RAS: 2.91 – Poor

Traits:

• Competitor
• Physical tackler
• Good ball skills

Darious Williams, CB, UAB – 2018 UDFA

Measurables:

Height: 5’9

Weight: 184-pounds

Arm Length: 30.75 inches

Shuttle: 4.34 seconds

Broad Jump: 10.02 feet

3-cone: 6.85 seconds

40-yard dash: 4.44 seconds

Vertical: 39 inches

Size Grade: Poor

Speed Grade: Great

RAS: 7.26 – Good

Traits:

• Plays bigger than his size
• Good ball skills
• Fast

Common Traits The Rams Look For in Cornerbacks

Here are the common traits that can help us build a rough mold of what Snead might look for in rookie cornerback:

• Unlike some positions, the Rams have shown that they value the cornerback spot and don’t mind taking one in the second or third round. In fact, three of the notable cornerbacks on this list were taken in the third round or sooner.
• The Rams tend to like cornerbacks with good ball skills. Darious Williams intercepted five passes and broke up 19 during his senior year at UAB. Troy Hill was third in the country in passes broken up when the Rams signed him. Trumaine Johnson consistently showed the ability to intercept the ball at Montana. Rochell and Durant each had 12 career takeaways.
• Les Snead seems to like physical cornerbacks who play with an edge. Nearly all of the players on this list have “competitiveness” listed as one of their intangibles.
• There seems to be a narrative that the Rams like big, lengthy cornerbacks. While that’s not necessarily false, they simply like cornerbacks who play big. Williams, Durant, Long, and Jenkins all played bigger than their size in college. Contrarily though, only four of the cornerbacks drafted had arms longer than 32 inches. Meanwhile only Kendrick, Rochell, Johnson, and McGee were taller than 5’10.
• The Rams seem to value speed. Outside of Trumaine Johnson and Derion Kendrick, all the cornerbacks drafted on this list ran a sub-4.5 40-time. Johnson and Kendrick are the only cornerbacks who tested poorly in speed drills as well. Durant had an elite speed grade and his 40-yard dash and was one of the fastest in the class among cornerbacks, ranking 10th.

2024 Players Who Fit The Rams

1. Terrion Arnold, Alabama

If the Rams go with a cornerback in the first round, it would make a lot of sense for that player to be Terrion Arnold. He may not have the speed that the Rams have typically coveted, but he has good top-end speed and that shows up more on tape than it did at the Combine. Arnold has inside-out versatility and played in the STAR role in the Alabama defense. He’s extremely competitive and physical in run support as well. If Arnold is there at 19, it would be hard for the Rams to pass on him.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

2. Max Melton, Rutgers

Melton has been one of my favorite targets for the Rams at cornerback since the Combine. He ran a 4.39 second 40-yard dash which matches their speed threshold. He also displays inside-out versatility and doesn’t shrink in run support. He plays much bigger than his 5’11 size would indicate and much of that is because of his 32-inch arms. Melton has 21 pass breakups over the last two years at Rutgers and brings value on special teams.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

3. Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

If the Rams take a mid-round cornerback, it wouldn’t be surprising if that player is Pritchett. He ran a 4.36 second 40-yard dash at the Combine and his 1.77 “flying 20” was elite. He’s physical in the run game and also brings return ability in the kicking game. His ball skills aren’t special, but he had eight pass breakups in 2022 and 11 in 2020.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 3rd-4th Round

4. Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State

There’s fast and then there’s Decamerion Richardson. Richardson ran an elite 4.34 40-yard dash at the Combine and a 1.79 “flying 20”. He’s fantastic in run support and might be one of the better tackling defensive backs in the draft. Richardson didn’t record a single interception in college, but he did lead Mississippi State in passes defended last season.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 4th-5th Round

5. Jarrian Jones, Florida State

With a recorded 40-time for 4.38 seconds, Jones brings a lot of speed to the cornerback position and his ball skills are a strength. He had three interceptions just last season. He brings inside-out versatility, but his best season came in the slot. Jones displays good toughness in the run game and brings a lot of confidence to the position. He’ll likely be a depth player early in his career, but should be able to contribute on coverage units on special teams.

Courtesy Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS Football

Draft Projection: 6th-7th Round

Honorable Mentions

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

• Elite ball production
• Good tackler in run support
• Good burst

Draft Projection: 1st Round

Andru Phillips, Kentucky

• Competes with a physical mindset
• Good make-up speed
• Inside-out versatility
• Lacks ball production

Draft Projection: 3rd Round

Elijah Jones, Boston College

• Elite ball production
• Good speed
• High level competitor
• Good in run support

Draft Projection: 4th Round