Los Angeles found a way to add a first-round pick at cornerback to their 2025 roster. Only, it wasn't through a splashy signing in free agency. Nor was it via the NFL Draft.

Rather, back in the fall of 2024, Les Snead and company threw a dart. The Rams front office made a low-risk investment in Emmanuel Forbes Jr. , who got caught up in the wash of a coaching change in Washington and was waived midway through his second professional season.

"That was the first time in my life," Forbes said of being cut after having high-level success at every stage of his athletic career.

Rams head coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula gave Forbes an audition of sorts in Week 18 against Seattle, while most of last year's starters were resting for the playoffs. That sample, combi

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