Rams' 25 most important players for 2025 – No. 20: CB Ahkello Witherspoon

In less than three weeks, rookies and veterans will all report to Loyola Marymount University for the start of Los Angeles Rams training camp. The regular season is rapidly approaching, with Week 1 being just over two months away.

We're counting down the days to the first day of training camp by ranking the 25 most important players on the Rams' roster for 2025, and we're now on No. 20. Ahkello Witherspoon cracks the top 20 as a valuable veteran in the secondary who's entering his third year with the Rams.

He may not be a star cornerback or a big-time ball hawk, but Witherspoon has been reliable for the Rams in the last two years. Here's his outlook in 2025 as he gears up for his ninth season in the NFL.

How he got here

For the third straight season, Witherspoon signed a one-year deal with the Rams. He originally joined the team in 2023, playing and starting all 17 games that season. He recorded three interceptions and 14 passes defensed, quickly becoming a key part of the secondary.

This offseason, he signed a one-year, $1.255 million deal, which is fully guaranteed.

2024 stats

13 games (5 starts): 31 tackles, 1 INT, 9 passes defensed, 52 targets, 36 receptions allowed, 435 yards allowed

Projected role

Witherspoon isn't guaranteed to be a starter again this year but he has a good chance to play significant snaps on the outside. He's competing for playing time with Darious Williams and Cobie Durant, both of whom are quality defenders, as well.

The Rams rotated their cornerbacks a bunch toward the end of last season, getting all three players on the field, along with Quentin Lake in the slot. Witherspoon exclusively plays on the boundary, which puts him in tough matchups with No. 1 receivers.

By no means will he shadow opposing wideouts but he can still lock down talented receivers when given the opportunity; he allowed just two total catches on three targets to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the Rams' playoff win, giving up 8 yards in coverage.

Look for Witherspoon to keep playing on the outside and rotate snaps with Williams and Durant, depending on that week's matchup.

Why he’s important

Witherspoon has been reliable for the Rams, giving them a cornerback who can defend deep down the field and also make plays on the ball with his length. He doesn't have blazing speed but in off coverage, he tends to do a good job keeping plays in front of him and breaking up passes when targeted deep.

His ceiling isn't as high as some other cornerbacks on the roster but the Rams know what they're getting with Witherspoon. He's become a durable defender after missing significant time earlier in his career and he's especially useful against bigger receivers who primarily line up outside.

If Witherspoon can play the way he did in the playoffs last season, the Rams' secondary should make positive strides in 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' most important players for 2025: No. 21 CB Ahkello Witherspoon