Rams could target this high-profile CB during 2026 free agency

Rams Face Secondary Scramble, Eye Top Cornerback in 2026

The Los Angeles Rams' defense needs attention, and the clock is ticking. With several key players in their secondary heading into the final year of their contracts, including safeties Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl, and cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant, and Derion Kendrick, the 2026 draft and free agency could be make-or-break for Los Angeles.

"The Rams will likely target that position in the 2026 draft and/or free agency," writes Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, pointing to a potential big-name acquisition: DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys.

While the Rams were reportedly interested in acquiring Jalen Ramsey this year, their limited cap space ($19.5 million) presented a significant obstacle. However, things look brighter for 2026. The Rams currently hold the fourth-highest projected cap space, giving them flexibility to pursue top talent.

Bland's future with Dallas is uncertain. The Cowboys haven't extended him, and with Trevon Diggs already on their roster and Micah Parsons requesting a trade, Bland could hit free agency.

His track record speaks for itself: 14 interceptions in his first 32 games, including a league-leading nine in 2023, solidifying his spot as a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro selection. Though a foot injury sidelined him for the start of the 2024 season, he remains a force to be reckoned with, finishing the year with five defended passes, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble.

Landing Bland won't come cheap. Recent contracts for Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr., worth $30 million annually, set the bar high. But for the Rams, securing a cornerback of Bland's caliber might mean breaking the bank – or risking losing out on their top draft picks.