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[Los Angeles Rams]

Adding Khalil Mack could help Rams’ defensive reload

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Khalil Mack #52 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs around the edge during an NFL wild card playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Khalil Mack is one of the top players available in free agency, and he should be a Los Angeles Rams target to help their defensive reload. The defensive stalwart opted against retirement and will explore all his options once the legal tapering period opens.

#Chargers legend Khalil Mack, one of the top edges available, will play in 2026, sources say. At the age of 35, coming off a strong season, Mack is a priority for LA.

Instead of retirement, Mack is back exploring all options and will be a big-time target in free agency. pic.twitter.com/VnPRbElhEa

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2026

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty first: Mack will be 35 when the 2026 season kicks off. Don’t let his “advanced” age fool you — he’s only gotten better with age, even if his sack totals aren’t where they used to be.

In 2025, Mack finished with 32 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, six tackles-for-loss and four forced fumbles despite missing five games with a dislocated elbow. The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year has played in 179 games in his illustrious career, yet has never won a playoff game in six appearances across three teams.

His luck could change if he decides to swap L.A. teams.

Under Sean McVay, the Rams have won at least one playoff game in five of seven postseason appearances. Los Angeles is also fresh off a run to the NFC Championship. With a championship-caliber roster in tow, the Rams should be the top contender for Mack’s services, and could be one of the missing pieces to put the defense over the top.

While the Rams cannot offer better uniform combos than the Chargers, they possess a top-tier culture and some of the best young defensive talents in the game. Imagine how much more effective Jared Verse and Kobie Turner would be if Mack played alongside them. Opposing offenses would certainly have their hands full.

Additionally, Mack would come pretty cheap too. Last offseason, he signed a one-year, $16 million deal to remain with the Chargers. If the Rams added him, it would likely be on a similar one-to-two-year deal, ranging in the $16-20 million ballpark.

The Rams don’t need to rebuild their defense this offseason — they need to reload it. Cornerback will undoubtedly be a top priority for the front office in free agency and the draft. However, adding Mack would only help the reload as a luxury piece for Chris Shula to utilize.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...y/135749/rams-defense-free-agency-khalil-mack

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Trent McDuffie is a slot merchant and doesn’t make sense for Rams

One of the most popular trade pairings on the NFL rumor mill is the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie. McDuffie was a first round pick in 2022. He’s set to play on his fifth-year option while Kansas City considers either extending him long term or trading him away in exchange for a premium draft selection.

It’s no certainty that the Chiefs execute a trade and send away McDuffie. KC is still well within their Super Bowl window and you don’t make it back to football’s biggest stage by trading away your best pieces.

Specifically as it relates to the Rams, McDuffie makes little sense. There are a few key myths to dispel surrounding the player.

for @Chiefs, any trade for McDuffie needs to include #13 rather than #29

Multiple time All-Pros are worth significantly MORE than there drafted position. McDuffie was selected at 21.

I would expect it would need to include #93 overall, with a possible swap back with a 2027… https://t.co/Z7iXKZ8NFe

— Ryan Tracy – Consultant, Content Creator (@RyanTracyNFL) March 3, 2026

1 – McDuffie isn’t best utilized outside​

Through the first two seasons of his career, McDuffie played 1,114 of 2,018 snaps (55%) in the box or slot according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). It’s not a coincidence that these were probably his two best years in terms of production.

McDuffie started playing mainly outside in 2024. The results after the position change are nothing short of disappointing. Despite an injury shortened season with less than 700 snaps in 2025, he’s allowed 9 touchdowns and drew 16 penalties over the last two years. Opposing quarterbacks completed 99 of 157 (63%) of their passes for just over 1,000 yards and a passer rating in the low to mid 90’s.

It’s evident that McDuffie is best utilized in the slot. The Chiefs were better served to play him outside given their other options on the roster; however, it came at the detriment of individual performance for this specific player.

2- His reputation as an All-Pro is overstated​

McDuffie earned first-team All-Pro honors as a slot corner in 2023.

What was the first season the NFL created a designation for slot corners on the All-Pro teams? You guessed it. 2023.

He earned second-team acknowledgements as an outside corner in 2024. This smells more like an award given on reputation rather than objective production. The advanced metrics simply do not bear that this was an upper echelon season at the position.

In 2024, McDuffie was targeted 102 times and allowed 62 completions (61%) for 661 yards, six touchdowns, and a passer rating of 91.2. Hidden from the box score is the fact he was flagged for penalty 11 times. While the yardage allowed on the surface looks impressive, we cannot ignore the invisible yardage and gifted first downs associated with these coverage flags.

These are the other corners that allowed at least five touchdowns with eight or more penalties in 2024. Spoiler alert. It’s not good company.

• Cam Taylor-Britt: 10 TD’s, 11 penalties
• Jaycee Horn: 6 TD’s, 12 penalties
• Martin Emerson: 6 TD’s, 8 penalties
• Kristian Fulton: 6 TD’s, 9 penalties
• Keisean Nixon: 5 TD’s, 9 penalties

Here is where these players stand today:

• Taylor-Britt: Low priority free agent
• Horn: Re-signed to big extension, up-and-down career
• Emerson: Achilles injury in final year of contract
• Fulton: Frequently inactive for Chiefs last year; cut candidate
• Nixon: Better return specialist than corner

While McDuffie was one of the NFL’s top slot corners, his reputation is better than reality when he plays mostly on the outside.

3 – McDuffie doesn’t fit with Rams​

We know the Rams don’t need a slot corner. They extended Quentin Lake during the regular season for the next three years.

Los Angeles has a glaring need on the outside as only Emmanuel Forbes and Josh Wallace are the only two corners under contract. Wallace also primarily plays in the slot and is Lake’s backup.

It simply would not be wise for the Rams to talk themselves into trading for an “All-Pro” caliber player when McDuffie first earned such reputation at a position they have zero need. Given the current state of the depth chart, LA is likely better served to sign and draft in volume in order to lock in a floor while they look to improve the long-term outlook at corner.

A Trent McDuffie trade between the Rams and Chiefs would make waves in the NFL news cycle. Ultimately it is more hype than reality because there is not room to deploy him at his best position in Los Angeles.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-rumors/135782/rams-trade-rumors-trent-mcduffie-crosby