The 2 DBs who truly confirmed up in Weeks 1 & 2

The jury remains to be out on the 2026 Los Angeles Rams. LA got here out flat in Week 1 to lose an all-important sport to their NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers. They bounced again in Week 2 to maintain a foul New York Giants staff within the shedding column.

However there may be one enormous optimistic for the Rams: Trent McDuffie and Quentin Lake are acting at celebrity ranges.

LA despatched a haul of draft picks to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in an effort to purchase McDuffie, after which they signed the nook to one of many richest contracts on the place. The staff additionally dedicated to Lake long-term earlier than the conclusion of final season. Each strikes are paying dividends into 2026.

McDuffie and Lake are on tempo for All-Professional seasons. That is anticipated for McDuffie. It will be a primary for Lake.

All knowledge from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF).

Trent McDuffie, CB

PFF protection grade: 93.2 (1st amongst all corners)

The Rams are paying McDuffie to be among the finest corners in all of soccer. He’s presently one of the best nook within the NFL.

Opposing quarterbacks have thrown the ball his route eight occasions by way of two video games. He’s allowed one reception for 13 yards whereas additionally forcing an interception and three cross breakups. That’s good for a passer ranking of 0.0. It fairly actually doesn’t getting any higher than that.

And the even higher information is that the Rams have confronted potent threats at receiver. Mike Evans caught six passes in Week 1 however solely totaled 49 yards and a purpose line rating. Malik Nabers hauled in simply one in every of his 4 targets on Monday evening for one yard. That’s fairly good.

McDuffie’s finest work has maybe been within the display sport, which is vital think about that was nearly all of the 49ers’ offense in Week 1. He has been aggressive to step as much as the road of scrimmage and make a sort out. It’s spectacular to observe for a participant who is mostly seen as undersized. McDuffie brings a wanted tenacity to the protection.

Quentin Lake, DB

PFF protection grade: 92.2 (1st amongst all safeties)

Earlier than the 49ers sport bought away from the Rams, Lake intercepted a Brock Purdy deep ball for one in every of his groups few defensive stops in Australia. With Kamren Kinchens out resulting from damage in Week 2, Lake held his assigned receiver to simply three catches on six targets for a measley 10 yards. The three incompletions had been all cross breakups. Lake has 5 PBU’s on the season already.

Whereas Lake can not declare a 0.0 passer ranking like McDuffie, he’s nonetheless doing simply superb at 44.8. For comparability, you’d get a passer ranking of 39.6 simply by spiking the ball time and again. Passer rankings solely go decrease due to interceptions.

Opposing offenses are focusing on Lake typically. 16 passes have been thrown his route already. The excellent news is he’s punishing them for it, as he’s allowed simply 10 catches for 64 yards. 30 of these yards got here after the catch level. That isn’t environment friendly cross sport manufacturing.