Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Kinchens had a breakout sophomore campaign, establishing himself as one of the team’s top safeties for the foreseeable future, enjoying a dramatic uptick in play and production. The Miami native was a tackling machine last season, while his skills in coverage were as evident as ever.
Kinchens is entering his third year, and with the Rams, Year 3 players often take another leap. Byron Young and Puka Nacua are recent examples of this trend, with both players earning Pro Bowl honors.
Thus, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker named Kinchens as one of 10 NFL players who could become a first-time All-Pro this season.
Kinchens went from a well-kept secret to a breakout force in 2025, playing to a 78.0 overall PFF grade across 975 snaps for the Rams’ sound defense. Kinchens’ 81.9 PFF coverage grade was the sixth-highest among his positional counterparts, and he finished in the 75th percentile in coverage mark at safety.
What would enable Kinchens to become a true star is more balanced work vs. the run, although he took a step in the right direction with a 6.4% run stop rate last season. Working alongside new top-tier cornerback duo Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson — and bringing Kam Curl back into the fold — could spark the former third-round pick to blossom even more in Chris Shula’s defense, which might better its 10th-place finish in EPA per play.
Considering the weak spot for the Rams in 2025 was their outside cornerback room, paired with McDuffie’s and Watson’s familiarity with aggressive schemes, Kinchens is in the right position to become an All-Pro.
If he’s able to achieve such an honor, it wouldn’t be a moment too soon, as 2027 will be the first offseason where he can begin contract negotiations with the Rams.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: PFF names young Rams safety an All-Pro candidate for 2026
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
