With the Los Angeles Rams announcement that they had come to terms with 18 undrafted free agents, their proceedings in the 2026 NFL Draft comes to an official close. 87 players now on the roster, three short of a full 90-man complement, and L.A. is set to begin Organized Team Activities (OTA) workouts 0n May 26.
One of the glaring L.A. positions of need in the off-season was at cornerback and the Rams braintrust filled most of that hole with two of the three building blocks of roster construction. Via a blockbuster trade, Trent McDuffie was acquired, and soon after, the Rams dipped into free agency to ink his running buddy Jaylen Watson.
Many Rams fans thought the team might use the third tool, the draft, to finish out the corner unit rebuild. But it was not to be as the Rams selection process went off in a completely different direction. L.A. did however sign three cornerbacks from the undrafted free agent (UDFA) ranks.
Here’s a look at the Rams UDFA cornerbacks.
CB Drey Norwood – Mizzou 6’ 187 lb.
Originally signed with Texas A&M and spent a redshirt season there. Transferred to Missouri and saw action in 51 games with 32 starts. He posted 92 tackles, 3.5 for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and 12 passes defended.
With an RAS score of 5.67, Norwood’s athletic testing is average, maybe a shade under. IT matches his on-field game, none of the numbers would be considered poor, just not enough to catch much interest. He did however show good upper body strength (19 bench reps). His forty time was 4.51 with a !0-yard split of 1.60 and a 34 1/2” vertical are right at parameters. But in short area agility, he fell short with a 4.10 shuttle and 7.10 3cone.
Lean frame. Played primarily outside (both field and boundary), but did have some reps in the slot. Lot of bail coverage, both man and zone. Good amount of Cover3 like the Rams use. Norwood promptly gets to his areas and quickly balances. In zone, he appears to read/react to quarterback and pass off or re-direct when two receivers enter his area. He gives up a little too much ground and doesn’t have the quickest trigger downhill to catch point or tackle. In press/man he ’s patient and does a good job of mirroring releases, stays attached and uses his hands without being real gabby. Missouri often left him out on an island and in the four games I watched (Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M, Oklahoma), he wasn’t exploited. Not a particularly aggressive in defending the run, he’s physical on quick outside screens, but not a good tackler and not the type to stick his nose into oncoming traffic inside.
The sum of his play is better than its individual parts, not one trait stands out, but there are no glaring weaknesses. In what little film I saw, teams appeared to stay away from his side, a good sign. Although I couldn’t find film of special teams work, he got on the field a lot during early career before a starting job, so I must conclude he got in some coverage/return reps. Although a three-year SEC starter, Norwood appears to lack the requisite physicality demanded by the pro game.
CB Al’Zillion Hamilton – Fresno State 5’11” 185 lb.
Hamilton was a three-year starter for Fresno State, he entered the transfer portal twice, but eventually decided to stay with the Bulldogs. Played in 55 games with 36 starts, logging 125 tackles, six for loss, one sack, eight interceptions, and 37 passes broken up.
Although he looks to be a fluid athlete on film, he did not test particularly well at his Pro Day. RAS scores him at 4.80. Good arm length on a lean-looking frame with room for much-needed muscle (four bench reps). His speed over distance (4.46) and 10-yard quickness getting there (1.59) are within pro parameters. As are his agility and change of direction (6.99 3cone). HIs flexibility, burst, and balance (4.26 shuttle), and leg strength/explosiveness (33” vertical and 9’ 10” broad) underscores a need for play strength.
Fiesty, cocky play style with plus ball hawking traits. Played slot/nickel early in his career, so there’s an upside for versatility, but was primarily an outside defender, both field and boundary. Sticky in man coverage, does a good job mirroring release and staying on receivers hip. Appears loose enough to turn hips on breaks and down the sideline. Tracks the ball well and has the hand/eye coordination and physicality to go up and get the ball at catch point. Willing to stick his nose in the action when it comes at him, not a go-getter in pursuit. Tackles low and wraps, not an ankle biter. Could not film of special tams work.
Hamilton clearly has the instincts, technique, and cover skills, now his job will be to make them translate to bigger, faster pro wideouts. His relative lack of size, strength, and athleticism are the question marks. A film scout, who’s work I respect thinks Hamilton has the game for NFL. His aggressive style and low missed tackle percentages hint at a possible special teams role, even though he doesn’t have deep experience.
CB Nyzier Fourqurean – Wisconsin 6’1” 190 lb.
Did not play a down in 2025, lost a court battle for an extra season in late summer. Began his career with two seasons at D2 Grand Valley State and was a First-Team All-American. Started 17 of 24 games with the Badgers. Making 90 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two sacks, one interception, and eight passes defended.
Fourqurean has the frame of an NFL corner, with solid length (nearly 32” arms) and big hands (10 1/4”). RAS gives him a 8.41 score. While his forty time and 10-yard split are just adequate (4.64/1.58), his leg strength, and lower explosiveness (37” vertical and 10’ 1” broad) are of pro grade. As are his flexibility, balance, burst (4.10 shuttle) and agility/change of direction (6.84 3cone). He also checks the box for upper body strength (16 bench reps).
Physical, aggressive play style. Strong tackler, gets his shoulder into contact and wraps up well. Does a good job of getting under control before striking. Lined up both in the slot and outside (boundary). Looks to have the chops and attitude to play safety as well. Fairly sticky in man coverage, particularly from press. Loose enough to turn and run down the sideline and takes good angles on crosser’s. In the four games I watched, his pedestrian long speed was not exploited, although it needs to be noted. It’s a mixed bag in zone, he often allows too big of a cushion and his trigger back to the ball is a hair slow. He shows good spatial awareness, reads/reacts to routes pretty well and will lay the wood, allows too much pitch and catch. Willing in run fits near the line, he turns things inside and can get off blockers to get in on the action. Couldn’t find him on special teams, but his play style hints he can be of value there.
Fits the Rams backup mold, assignment-based, tough, and showed he can move up in competition successfully. With his tackling skills, Fourqurean could be of value on special teams and I could imagine him in defensive packages against two and three tight end formations.
Roster chances?
Last year, the Rams opened the season with five cornerbacks on the roster and it appears they have three locks for 2026, Ttrent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Emmanuel Forbes. That looks to leave an open pathway to one certainly and likely two roster spots. The undrafted rookies will have to compete with current Rams Cam Lampkin and Alex Johnson, both from last season’s practice squad. To a lesser extent, you could add Josh Wallace into the mix. Although moved to the “STAR” hybrid role last season, Wallace was drafted as a corner.
After recently watching all three prospects film, I like Fourqurean.
By far he’s the best tackler and has the hustle and physical nature needed to impress coaches early. That physicality combines with the requisite size, length, and strength. Although his long speed is lacking, his overall athleticism is very good and plays faster than he tested. His speed/physicality profile makes him a fit for the mid and underneath areas. Certainly has enough speed to get downfield to cover on punts and kickoffs.
Hamilton looks to be the best natural coverage player and fits the Rams mold of ballhawk. He’s certainly a willing, ornery run defender and plays bigger than measured, but he looks leaner on film and his strength will be a question mark against physically superior pro competition.
Norwood has the “SEC starter” pedigree, but lacks the aggressive nature. He has a decent floor, but I find it hard to project a great deal of room for improvement, Sure, he can tighten up some fair to middling coverage skills, but will it be enough to make up for a lack of physicality and tackling ability.
What are your thoughts on the Rams undrafted cornerbacks?
