Free agency is still over a month away but the Los Angeles Rams will begin to blueprint how they want to construct their 2026 roster. After falling short in the NFC Championship Game, its clear that positional needs include: cornerback (probably 2, maybe even 3), linebacker, wide receiver, special teams, and offensive line depth. The Rams will not be able to address all of those needs via free agency. This year’s free agency class also isn’t spectacular but there are a few names that Los Angeles should be keying in on.
Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
This is a two for one in my opinion. Strengthening your team while weakening your opponent in the division. The Seahawks will unlikely bring back all of their defensive backs set for free agency. If I had to guess, Tariq Woolen will be the odd man out as wasn’t an exact fit in Mike Macdonald’s system.
Woolen would provide elite size, length, and speed for the Rams secondary.
Woolen’s PFF coverage grades year to year were:
- 2022: 77.8 (644 coverage snaps)
- 2023: 75.0 (541 coverage snaps)
- 2024: 65.7 (547 coverage snaps)
- 2025: 61.7 (566 coverage snaps)
Nakobe Dean, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Rams should really consider upgrading who they pair with Nate Landman. Omar Speights is serviceable as a backup but he is not a starter. He lacks twitchiness to attack ball carriers or pass catchers. He’s highly susceptible to offensive skill players with agility and speed. Saquon Barkley in 2024. Kenneth Walker in 2025. Speights was never really noticed in a good way on defense. He made a pass deflection here and there but he is not creating any sort of splash plays to take the defense’s game up a level.
Nakobe Dean is known for his explosiveness and acceleration. Dean’s agility and lateral range will give Los Angeles defense another gear on defense. Dean would be coming from Philadelphia who utilizes Vic Fangio’s system, which is the system Chris Shula operates.
Dean’s PFF run defense & coverage grades year to year were:
- 2022: 69.1 (run d) / 75.8 (coverage)
- 2023: 80.2 (run d) / 49.2 (coverage)
- 2024: 80.4 (run d) / 60.8 (average)
- 2025: 42.9 (run d) / 62.0 (average)
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
The Rams will most likely be losing Tyler Higbee to retirement. With Sean McVay adopting 13 personnel, that leaves Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, and Davis Allen as the only remaining tight ends on the roster. Parkinson and Allen will be entering the final year of their contract so there needs to be contingency.
Adding Pitts gives the Rams even more firepower out of 13 personnel. Parkinson and Allen could serve as the inline blocking tight ends, while Ferguson and Pitts work more as slot tight ends.
Pitts’s PFF receiving grades year to year were:
- 2021: 82.3
- 2022: 76.6
- 2023: 72.7
- 2024: 63.9
- 2025: 82.0
I know the immediate comments will be petitioning for multiple defensive backs to be added. When it is all said and done this offseason, I think LA should add one external free agent (Woolen), resign Roger McCreary, and draft 1-2 cornerbacks in this year’s draft class. Pitts, Dean, and Woolen offer immediate impact but are also young players to further develop over future years.
Stay tuned for positions and prospects that Los Angeles should consider in the 2026 NFL Draft…
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