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Rams training camp preview: Safety is once again a strength for LA
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- Rams training camp preview: Safety is once again a strength for LA
Rams training camp preview: Safety is once again a strength for LA
Safety has been a strength for the Los Angeles Rams the last two years, largely thanks to the additions of Kam Curl and Kamren Kinchens. Quentin Lake started out as a safety when he was drafted in 2022 but he's successfully become the Rams' top nickel defender in the slot. Even Jaylen McCollough has been a bright spot as a former undrafted free agent.
Heading into 2026, it's the same group as the Rams had last year, which is a big plus. Their group gets better every year, with Kinchens becoming a particularly important part of the safety room entering his third NFL season.
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Here's a preview of that position group for the upcoming season.
Roster locks
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Quentin Lake
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Kam Curl
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Kamren Kinchens
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Jaylen McCollough
These will be the Rams' top four safeties this season, just as they were a season ago. Curl and Kinchens will be the primary deep guys, with Lake manning the slot. Trent McDuffie may change things a little bit for Lake because of how good he is in the slot, too, but Lake's talent allows the Rams to keep McDuffie on the outside, too.
McCollough is a valuable chess piece in dime packages, essentially operating as a linebacker.
Likely to make it
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None
Beyond the top four, there isn't another safety who's likely to make the team. There are four other players on the roster who will be battling for spots on the roster, but there may not be room for even one of them.
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On the bubble
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Tanner Ingle
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Nate Valcarcel
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Alex Johnson
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Nick Andersen
As with many other position groups, there's a collection of former undrafted players competing for a spot on the team. And as with other position groups, there isn't much room on the roster for them. There may be one spot available for these four, and it'll almost exclusively be on special teams.
Ingle has the most special teams experience and value, so he could sneak onto the roster. Valcarcel and Johnson spent time on the practice squad last season, while Andersen comes in as an undrafted rookie.
Position battle to watch
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None
There isn't really one to watch. Curl and Kinchens are locked in as the starting safeties, with Curl in the slot and McCollough helping in sub-packages. No other player is likely to shake up that rotation, though there could be a competition between the four undrafted players on the bubble for one of the final roster spots.
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Potential sleeper
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Tanner Ingle
Ingle made a strong impression in the preseason last year, which nearly earned him a spot on the initial 53-man roster. He'll have a chance to make it again this season if he flashes in exhibition games and practice, but it's still an uphill climb.
He's an undersized safety who hits like a missile, bringing an edge and physicality to the defense and special teams. That alone might be enough to garner consideration.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams training camp preview: Safety is once again a strength for LA
