Early 2020 position outlook: Cornerback

[ROD-BOT]

Early 2020 position outlook: Cornerback

How has the cornerback room shaped up as we approach the 2020 season?

www.therams.com

Early 2020 position outlook: Cornerback

After examining the Rams' offense, defense and special teams following the 2020 NFL Draft, theRams.com will take a deeper look at each position group as we get closer to the upcoming season. The cornerbacks are up next.

Who's back

Adonis Alexander: The former 2018 supplemental draft sixth-round pick was signed to the Rams' practice squad Nov. 12, then was one of nine players to ink a reserve/future contract with the club in early January.

Dont'e Deayon: Spent the first nine games on the practice squad, then saw action against the Bears and in both Cardinals games.

Troy Hill: Emerged as a starter in 2019 after Aqib Talib's Week 5 rib injury and set new career-highs in total tackles (38) and pass breakups (8) while matching his career-best for interceptions in a single season (2). Scouting service Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him the No. 20 cornerback in the league at the end of the regular season for his performance.

David Long Jr.: Inactive for the first six games of the season, injuries at the cornerback position afforded Long more playing time down the stretch. He appeared in six of the Rams' final eight games, finishing the 2019 campaign with 10 tackles and two pass breakups.

Jalen Ramsey: Acquired in a midseason trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ramsey produced 32 total tackles, four pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble in nine games in a Rams uniform.

Darious Williams: Like Long, injuries afforded Williams more playing time in 2019. Most of his action came late in the season after Hill sustained a fractured thumb against the Cowboys in Week 15. Williams tallied 15 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions over 12 games last year.

Who's gone

Nickell Robey-Coleman: The Rams declined the option in his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent once the new league year began. Robey-Coleman eventually agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 25.

Who's new

Dayan Lake: Undrafted free agent signee who tallied 207 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss, along with 15 pass breakups, seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two sacks and one touchdown in four seasons at BYU.

Tyrique McGhee: Another undrafted free agent signee, McGhee posted 59 total tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and two forced fumbles across 50 career games in four seasons at Georgia.

Levonta Taylor: Undrafted free agent signee who logged 37 tackles, including 2.5 for loss with 1.0 sack, one interception, three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in 2019, starting in five of the 11 games he appeared in. He departed Florida State tied for fourth on the school's all-time career list with two interception return touchdowns.

Key question(s)

Who replaces Robey-Coleman as the slot cornerback? According to a January PFF article ranking the top 25 cornerbacks at the end of the regular season, Robey-Coleman "allowed just an 80.1 passer rating and 0.63 yards per slot coverage snap through Week 17, ranking 13th and sixth, respectively, among qualifying slot cornerbacks in 2019." That resume and production will be tough to replace, but the Rams have Long and Williams as two potential candidates. The positional versatility of rookies Terrell Burgess and Jordan Fuller also makes them intriguing options.

 

[BonifayRam]

Rookie drafted DB Terrell Burgess from my researches from what can be found online visually & his prospective evaluations authored by writers who claim to be analysis ......is far more versatile & talented in varied close pass protections assignments than up close or run stoppage safety demands. I see TB as having Nickel/ Dime abilities & landing in a position as early reserve that might evolve into much more action by the bye as a part-time starter.

Rookie Drafted DB Jordan Fuller appears close in skills to that of safety JJ III. Competent to play both of the normal safety posts in the NFL. Early thoughts is he should be a very good game day back up to both Rapp & JJ III & not involved in any Nickle responsibilities.

I would not be surprised if UDFA DB Levonta Taylor is used as a Nickel in TC & preseason & ends up making the final roster or Practice Squad.

 

[Memento]

The undrafted rookie cornerbacks are quite intriguing.

Levonta Taylor was once a five star prospect and the number one cornerback in his class. He was excellent in his true freshman year at Florida State, and went downhill as the program did. I think he has the best chance of making the roster.

Lake and McGhee are potential practice squad members who compliment our already-deep defensive backfield. Lake is taller, but McGhee is faster. Both of them played in both outside and in the slot for their college teams.

Alexander is another name to keep an eye on; he was once regarded as a second round talent, but academic issues forced him to enter the supplemental draft. He's not especially fast, but he's tall and physical. Could be a candidate to back up or start over Fuller in the big nickel.

 

[So Ram]

The undrafted rookie cornerbacks are quite intriguing.

Levonta Taylor was once a five star prospect and the number one cornerback in his class. He was excellent in his true freshman year at Florida State, and went downhill as the program did. I think he has the best chance of making the roster.

Lake and McGhee are potential practice squad members who compliment our already-deep defensive backfield. Lake is taller, but McGhee is faster. Both of them played in both outside and in the slot for their college teams.

Alexander is another name to keep an eye on; he was once regarded as a second round talent, but academic issues forced him to enter the supplemental draft. He's not especially fast, but he's tall and physical. Could be a candidate to back up or start over Fuller in the big nickel.

Good insight. So did The Rams draft Alexander ?? Don’t recall it.Being on the roster 2019 helps.

I think any udrfa will have a tough time making the roster.

 

[BonifayRam]

The undrafted rookie cornerbacks are quite intriguing.

Levonta Taylor was once a five star prospect and the number one cornerback in his class. He was excellent in his true freshman year at Florida State, and went downhill as the program did. I think he has the best chance of making the roster.

Lake and McGhee are potential practice squad members who compliment our already-deep defensive backfield. Lake is taller, but McGhee is faster. Both of them played in both outside and in the slot for their college teams.

Alexander is another name to keep an eye on; he was once regarded as a second round talent, but academic issues forced him to enter the supplemental draft. He's not especially fast, but he's tall and physical. Could be a candidate to back up or start over Fuller in the big nickel.

FSU's coaching has been deep in the septic for the last 4 yrs so I am expecting a big surprise from DB Levonta Taylor this Ram TC.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I used to draft Taylor late in all of my mocks haha. Didn't even realize we had him! He's got a uphill climb to make this roster though

 

[CGI_Ram]

I know this much...

It feels DAMN GOOD being deep at CB. Damn good!

It is a hard position on the legs... Nothing worse than watching injuries pile up and that depth exposed.

I love our depth.