Where does the Rams defense stand without Eric Weddle?

[CGI_Ram]

Where does the Rams defense stand without Eric Weddle?

A position-by-position look at the Rams' defense following the retirement of safety Eric Weddle.

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Where does the Rams defense stand without Eric Weddle?

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams' defense could appear drastically different going into next season as the unit undergoes arguably its biggest makeover since Sean McVay became coach three years ago.

Gone is veteran defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who came to L.A. in 2017 with McVay. Newcomer Brandon Staley will take over and inherits a defense that ranked ninth in efficiency last season, but one that had momentary and -- in three instances -- complete game meltdowns.

Staley is expected to maintain the 3-4 scheme installed by Phillips, but he could be down four key contributors from the get-go.

Veteran defensive lineman Michael Brockers, outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. and inside linebacker Cory Littleton are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month.

And last week, veteran safety Eric Weddle announced his retirement after playing 13 seasons, earning six trips to the Pro Bowl and two All-Pro honors.

Here's a look at questions facing each defensive position group this offseason.

Safeties

Weddle's production was down in his final season, but the 13-year veteran provided leadership and was the defense's on-field signal-caller last season. He had 108 combined tackles but no interceptions and only four pass deflections in a career that saw him pick off 29 and bat down 99. It's uncertain who will take over his duties going forward.

Taylor Rapp is expected to slide into Weddle's starting role after he demonstrated steady improvement throughout his rookie season. Rapp had two interceptions and six pass breakups.

John Johnson III will return from a season-ending shoulder injury for the fourth and final season of his rookie contract. Johnson has ascended into a leadership position and is among the defense's top playmakers. In six games last season he had two interceptions.

Marqui Christian, a key rotational player in the secondary last season, is a pending unrestricted free agent.

Defensive line

The line will look much different than it has the past seven seasons, with the exception of mainstay Aaron Donald.

Donald missed on a third consecutive NFL Defensive Player of the Year honor last season, but still had 12.5 sacks and is considered among the league's best defenders.

In 2020, though, he will likely play without Brokers for the first time. A force against the run, Brockers -- who just wrapped a three-year, $33.3 million deal contract -- is expected to earn another large payday elsewhere. It's uncertain who will replace him.

Morgan Fox, a restricted free agent, maintained a role as a rotational player last season and had two sacks. Justin Lawler, a seventh-round pick from SMU in 2018, spent last season on injured reserve because of a foot injury. Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tanzel Smart and Greg Gaines are expected to maintain similar roles as last season at tackle.

Outside linebackers

Fowler blossomed into the player that the Rams hoped he would be when they acquired him at the trade deadline in 2018. Last season, the fifth-year pro had a career-best 11.5 sacks and forced two fumbles.

Now he is due a payday.

Fowler is a candidate for the franchise tag (expected to be more than $15.4 million next season for linebackers) if the two sides cannot agree to a long-term contract.

There also remains the possibility that Fowler signs a long-term deal elsewhere, although he has expressed a desire to remain with the Rams -- even on a short-term deal or for potentially less money.

If Fowler does not return, the Rams could turn to Samson Ebukam -- a starter in 2018, and Ogbo Okoronkwo, who showed glimpses of his playmaking ability in spot opportunities last season.

Ebukam had 4.5 sacks last season and Okoronkwo had 1.5.

Clay Matthews III is expected to return for 12th season and the second of his two-year, $9.3-million deal with the Rams. Matthews was sidelined for three games last season after he broke his jaw in Week 5, but finished with eight sacks -- his most since 2014.

Inside linebackers

The Rams could lack starting experience at inside linebacker if Littleton departs in free agency.

An undrafted free agent in 2016, Littleton climbed from special teams standout to defensive starter after two seasons.

After leading the Rams in tackles in consecutive seasons and intercepting five passes over that same span, Littleton has expressed a desire to sign for his value, meaning it's unlikely he'll return in 2020 given the Rams' lack of salary-cap space and the team's history of letting inside linebackers go.

Micah Kiser, Kenny Young and Travin Howard are among candidates to replace Littleton or earn the second starting spot. Kiser was projected to start alongside Littleton last season before he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in a preseason game.

After a string of injuries last season, Troy Reeder was elevated to a starting spot and finished with 53 tackles. However, the former undrafted free agent is expected to return to the role of a backup role going forward.

Cornerbacks

The cornerbacks group underwent a significant in-season makeover last season when Aqib Talib was placed on injured reserve, then traded to the Miami Dolphins, and Marcus Peters was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.

Those moves were made to acquire Jalen Ramsey, who returns for the final season of his rookie contract.

However, it remains uncertain who will start opposite of Ramsey.

Troy Hill and Darious Williams are the options currently on the roster.

Hill showed promise in nine starts last season, intercepting two passes, before he underwent thumb surgery and missed the final two games. Williams also is a young player who coaches have expressed confidence in. He intercepted two passes in each of his two starts at the end of the season.

Standout slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman returns for the final season of his three-year, $15.7 million contract, though he could become a salary-cap casualty because of Hill's ability to play both outside and in the slot.

 

[rams1fan]

Frankly Weddle was more of a liability then an asset. Replacing him would be the least of my worries.

 

[Tano]

I was going to post one word

Better

 

[Reddog99]

The knowledge that JJ and Rapp gained from the time with him is priceless. However I believe we will have more consistency with those two starting.

 

[jetplt67]

After some horrible failures last season, I think the D can only get better

 

[FrantikRam]

After some horrible failures last season, I think the D can only get better

Not sure about this.

The secondary hopefully will be better without Weddle.

But our pass rush was the best in the NFL and we could lose three of our front 7. Hoping we keep either Littleton or Fowler because if we lose both, I only see this defense getting worse.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Safety doesn't look to be an issue. JJIII and Rapp start with Christian backing up. Mathews will probably be back and most likely to be the playcaller. Hill will get a shot at starting opposite Ramsey. Obo and Ebukam will get a lot of playing time with Fowler gone. Brockers most likely gone and SJ-Day and Gaines more snaps. Rams thin on DL.

Salery cap playing a big part in Rams decisions.

Lots of changes on defense.

 

[Merlin]

I have two concerns with safety.

1. We lack a deep middle ballhawk for single high sets. JJ will do it I am sure, and in some cases maybe Rapp or someone else, but he's better near the LOS as is Rapp. Both those guys tackle well in space and can do some coverage of TEs but the ball instinct is something we could use.

2. JJ is a FA after the 2020 season. If JJ is in the Rams' long-term plans they probably won't be too concerned with safety, assuming of course that they plan on zoning it up a bit more and getting our DBs to play zone better and keep coaching them up at single high. But if he's not then safety could be a position they see internally as a big need.

Oh and lastly if you look at this safety group in the draft it's similar to most other years where there's a ton of guys who are good around the LOS, i.e. the skillset we're strong in. But finding guys who can range deep with instincts is more difficult. Couple that with safety being a cheap FA position and I think it's possible we see a move there, not likely but definitely a possibility.

 

[kurtfaulk]

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Eric Weddle says he's retiring 'as a Raven'

BaltimoreRavens.com | Feb 14


Eric Weddle only played three of his 13 seasons in Baltimore, but the six-time Pro Bowl safety still considers himself a Raven. Weddle played his first nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, then announced his retirement last week following one year with the Los Angeles Rams.

"As of right now, I would retire as a Raven before those other two teams," Weddle told The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. "There's no need to push that button quickly, but I'm a Raven. I loved my time with the Rams. I was all in. But those three years (2016-2018) in Baltimore were as fun and enjoyable as I've ever had in my career."

.

 

[CGI_Ram]

.

Eric Weddle says he's retiring 'as a Raven'

BaltimoreRavens.com | Feb 14


Eric Weddle only played three of his 13 seasons in Baltimore, but the six-time Pro Bowl safety still considers himself a Raven. Weddle played his first nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, then announced his retirement last week following one year with the Los Angeles Rams.

"As of right now, I would retire as a Raven before those other two teams," Weddle told The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. "There's no need to push that button quickly, but I'm a Raven. I loved my time with the Rams. I was all in. But those three years (2016-2018) in Baltimore were as fun and enjoyable as I've ever had in my career."

.

If that’s how he felt, got to respect that.

Must have been a fun 3 years.

 

[BonifayRam]

With the $4.3 million in cap funds added back into the very small stack of available 2020 salary cap funds....that's a plus!

The healthy return of John Johnson III who has started since his rookie season & now entering his 4th season playing on his low cost rookie contract... that's a plus!

The finished rookie season & development of the Rams top 2019 draft selection is in need of a starting safety position, so he can play his natural NFL position @ strong safety in 2020. That's a plus!

Snead's two 2019 rookie safeties Nick Scott & Jake Gervase provided solid back up safety snaps when needed. Both were inexpensive & remain ultra low cost $$$ reserves with the benefit of good future improvement. That's a plus!


Conclusion: Rams are in a Superior & improved position.

 

[Flint]

I thought it was an odd question, maybe there’s stuff I’m not seeing, like a lot of people I thought his production was not great considering his salary. Sure he had the respect of the locker room and was like a coach on the field but did he have enough of an impact against the run and pass to make him hard to replace, most of us would say no.

 

[dang]

I hate to say this but the Rams need to carefully spread their cap $$$ across starters at 2 ILB, 1 5TDL, 1 OLB, 1LT, 1 OC/OG, and K. There simply is no room for any one good FA to take $12+ million (Littleton, Fowler) or an average FA (Brockers) taking $8+ million of the cap.