Rams take one of the best CB prospects in new mock drafts

With free agency winding down, the Los Angeles Rams will turn their attention to the 2025 NFL Draft.

L.A. has the No. 26 pick in the first round and could use it to find starters or add depth at a variety of positions.

One of the shallowest positions on the roster right now is cornerback. The only players with quality experience under contract are Darious Williams, Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Unless Les Snead, Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula are comfortable with that trio, the Rams will need to make a move at cornerback.

While bringing back Akhello Witherspoon is an option, a more likely scenario is taking a cornerback in the first round.

A few other names have been thrown out there, but a recent mock draft from CBS Sports' Josh Edwards named another: Texas' Jahdae Barron.

"Los Angeles has a very young roster, but cornerback remains a position of need," Edwards wrote. "Jahdae Barron is a great player and nickelback is essentially a starting role in today's NFL. However, teams have not yet shown they are comfortable taking a nickel in the top half of the first round."

Edwards wasn't the only pundit to tap Barron as an option for the Rams. The 33rd Team's James Foster also predicted L.A. will take Barron with the No. 26 pick for similar reasons.

"The Rams take Jahdae Barron, adding a versatile chess piece to their defensive backfield," Foster wrote. "In his five years at Texas, Barron recorded over 500 snaps at safety, slot, and outside cornerback."

Barron, 23, stands at 5-foot-11 and weighs 200 pounds. He was a production machine in 2024, leading the SEC with five interceptions this past season and added 11 defend passes, racked up one sack and tallied 67 combined tackles. Barron finished his five seasons at Texas with eight interceptions, two sacks, 24 defended passes and 226 combined tackles.

According to Pro Football Focus, Barron is a versatile defensive back who's played in the slot, deep safety and corner. PFF compared him most closely to former 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler Stephen Gilmore.

Barron was especially good on post routes, according to PFF. He allowed just one catch for 36 yards on four targets across 25 post route coverage snaps in five seasons. Barron finished first in the 2025 class with an 83.9 PFF coverage grade against post routes.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL mock draft: Rams top CB from SEC

Topics

New Rams 7-round mock draft starts defense-heavy

The Rams could fill depth across their defense to start the 2025 NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Could the Rams draft a QB? An NFL insider thinks they will

The Los Angeles Rams need a succession plan for Matthew Stafford and could find it in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
CBS Sports' mock draft has Cardinals taking O-lineman

CBS Sports' new mock draft has the Cardinals going with a lineman who could play guard or tackle as a rookie.
Yahoo Sports - 17h
2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep Guide: Rankings, mocks, sleepers, tiers, Dynasty -- your index to everything

Everything you need to dominate your draft, all in one place
CBS Sports - 2d
Key takeaways from CBS Sports' post-free agency mock draft

Key takeaways from CBS sports post-free agency 2025 NFL mock draft
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Rams free agency needs: L.A. could be targeting a big-name cornerback

With plenty of salary-cap space to work with, Rams general manager Les Snead could target free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs or Davante Adams to fill the Cooper Kupp void.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9
The Best RAM for Your PC (2025)

Building a new computer or looking to upgrade your memory? Here are our favorite options right now.
Wired - 19h
Rams legendary LT Andrew Whitworth named to all-time free agency team

The Rams have made a lot of moves since Sean McVay took over, but this one has been one of the best ever.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft 2025: Full scouting report, pro comparison, landing spots for Deion Sanders' son

The son of Deion Sanders is one of this year's best QBs, but how high will he be drafted?
CBS Sports - 3d

Rams take one of the best CB prospects in new mock drafts

Topics

Related

New Rams 7-round mock draft starts defense-heavy

Could the Rams draft a QB? An NFL insider thinks they will

CBS Sports' mock draft has Cardinals taking O-lineman

2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep Guide: Rankings, mocks, sleepers, tiers, Dynasty -- your index to everything

Key takeaways from CBS Sports' post-free agency mock draft

Rams free agency needs: L.A. could be targeting a big-name cornerback

The Best RAM for Your PC (2025)

Rams legendary LT Andrew Whitworth named to all-time free agency team

Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft 2025: Full scouting report, pro comparison, landing spots for Deion Sanders' son

More from Yahoo Sports

How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain

World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview

Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025

Who won the MIAA high school hockey state championships?

Honesdale softball team poised to make serious strides in Lackawanna League action

More in Sports

Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal

How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain

World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview

Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025

Who won the MIAA high school hockey state championships?