Rams Urged to Monitor All-Pro Entering Free Agency in 2026

Rams Urged to Monitor All-Pro Entering Free Agency in 2026 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Rams have a 2025 roster to finalize later this month. The Saturday NFL Preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys gave an early glimpse of who wants to stay.

But one analyst urges the front office to keep a close eye on a high-profile free agent for 2026. An All-Pro who shares one thing in common with top '25 free agent signing Davante Adams.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report wrote down each team's biggest long-term roster need after the 2025 campaign. Ballentine reminds fans that members of every NFL front office will keep an eye on who'll enter the '26 spring free agent market.

That includes DaRon Bland -- the 2023 league leader in interceptions. The cornerback is additionally best known for taking back an astonishing five picks into the end zone, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. But here's why Ballentine believes Bland is worth monitoring if you're general manager Les Snead and the Rams front office.

"The Rams were expected to be in on the Jalen Ramsey trade market. Unfortunately, only having $19.5 million in cap space this season would have made it hard to take on his contract. The good news is the Rams have the fourth-highest projected cap space for 2026 right now, which means they could get aggressive in landing help at a premium position next season," Ballentine began.

Then he dropped Bland's name into his belief that the Rams should watch his situation closely.

"Thus far, the Cowboys haven't locked up DaRon Bland on an extension. With Trevon Diggs already on the books and Micah Parsons requesting a trade, there's a decent chance he hits the market," Ballentine added.

Bland didn't grab an interception last season. He's still in the shadow of the more heralded All-Pro Diggs. But the Rams could pull off one more feat if they add Bland.

It'll mark the second straight offseason that L.A. grabbed a heralded Fresno State standout. Adams starred for the university in college before Bland delivered his own run in California's Central Valley.

A Bland addition also addresses a big need moving forward. The Rams are expected to get hit hard in free agency at the CB spot. Cobie Durant is a pending free agent. Derion Kendrick signed for one year. Same with Ahkello Witherspoon.

Surely cornerback rises immediately as the top need for the '26 offseason. Regardless of next year's NFL Draft or free agency. But Bland is someone Ballentine urges to watch closely if you're the Rams.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.