The Rams acquired All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie in a blockbuster trade with the Chiefs that sent the No. 29 pick in the 2026 draft, among others, to Kansas City. They then agreed to terms with McDuffie on a four-year extension, which will keep the 25-year-old corner in horns for the long haul.
Here are five things Rams fans should know about the newest addition to the secondary.
1) A Los Angeles native
McDuffie grew up in Westminster, Calif. and attended multiple Los Angeles-based high schools. McDuffie has spoke publicly about wanting to play close to his family. He will now have the opportunity to do that for years to come with the Rams.
2) Plays extremely tight coverage
Since entering the NFL in 2022, Trent McDuffie has spent 17 minutes and 26 seconds in tight coverage (less than one yard of separation), the 5th-most in the league according to Next Gen Stats.
3) Has ties to the Rams' coaching staff and roster
At Washington, McDuffie was coached by current Rams pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake, who served as defensive coordinator in McDuffie's freshman year (2019) before being promoted to head coach in 2020-21.
McDuffie also played with Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua at Washington in for two years. Prior to that, he was teammates with Rams safety Quentin Lake as a freshman at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. They are now key pieces of the same secondary once again, this time on a Rams team with Super Bowl aspirations.
4) Has earned post-season honors in two of four NFL seasons
McDuffie was voted an Associated Press (AP) First Team All-Pro in 2023 at just 23 years old. The next year, he earned AP Second Team All-Pro honors.
5) Has inside-out versatility
McDuffie can play in the slot and on the outside. Last season, he took 479 snaps at cornerback compared to 209 in the slot/box or on the defensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. He's an aggressive and physically gifted defender that the Rams could deploy in a wide range of positions within their secondary.
