Current FA options at Edge & CB

[BonifayRam]

4 free-agent DBs Rams could target after missing out on Stephon Gilmore​

Cameron DaSilva April 15, 2022

4 free-agent DBs Rams could target after missing out on Stephon Gilmore

After missing out on Stephon Gilmore, which defensive backs could the Rams turn their attention to in free agency?

theramswire.usatoday.com

The Rams know they need cornerback help and they were in contact with Stephon Gilmore, but they weren’t able to land the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. He signed with the Colts on Friday, earning a two-year deal with $14 million guaranteed.

The draft is still to come, where Los Angeles is almost sure to add cornerback depth, but with some cap space to spare, the Rams could sign a veteran.

Here are four other defensive backs the Rams could target either before the draft or shortly afterwards.

#1-Tyrann Mathieu​

The longer Mathieu sits on the free-agent market, the better chance the Rams have to sign him because A) That means he likely isn’t getting an offer he likes and B) After the draft, free agents won’t count toward the compensatory pick formula, which the Rams put a big emphasis on.

The Rams could be a team to watch for Mathieu, who isn’t a traditional cornerback but is a playmaking defensive back capable of playing corner, safety or in the box. His best position, however, is nickel corner.

The Rams could plug him in there, allowing Ramsey to play outside more and relying on either Robert Rochell or David Long Jr. as the third starter. Mathieu is a ball hawk who would bring even more flexibility in the secondary, essentially solidifying two positions with one player.

#2-Bryce Callahan​

Callahan played for the Bears from 2015-2018, all of which were in Vic Fangio’s defense. He then followed Fangio to the Broncos from 2020-2021, starting 16 games in the last two years and 45 in his career.

The Rams’ defense is essentially built around Fangio’s scheme from Brandon Staley’s time with the team, bringing it from Denver to Los Angeles when he was the defensive coordinator in 2020.

That should make Callahan a natural fit in the Rams’ zone-heavy defense, stepping in and competing for the nickel role with David Long Jr. Callahan might be on the smaller side at just 5-foot-9, but he’s scrappy and mixes it up as a tackler.

#3-Kyle Fuller​

Like Callahan, Fuller also hails from Fangio’s system. He was in Chicago from 2014-2020 before signing with the Broncos last offseason. He started 10 games and broke up four passes last season, struggling with just a 47.2 overall grade, including a 40.8 mark in coverage.

Fuller would be a good fit in the Rams’ system and is durable, playing 16 games every year except in 2016. While Callahan is a slot corner, Fuller would line up on the outside opposite Ramsey.

His ball skills would be accentuated in a zone-heavy scheme, allowing him to keep his eyes on the quarterback and make plays on the ball.

#4-Jason Verrett​

If the Rams want to gamble a bit at the cornerback spot, they can give Verrett a shot. It wouldn’t quite be the same as when they signed Sam Shields a few years ago, but Verrett’s injury history is lengthy. He’s played a total of 19 games since 2016, only playing more than six games twice in his career.

He’ll be 31 in June and is coming off a torn ACL, but when he’s been healthy, he’s played well and made an impact. It’s just a matter of not knowing how many games he’s going to play and whether he’ll be able to stay on the field.

For what would be a veteran minimum contract, he could be worth a look for Los Angeles as an emergency option.

 

[dang]

What does everyone think about Kevin King former GB CB who I think lost starter status to Rasul Douglas (who I would have liked for the Rams).

 

[Merlin]

Looking like we're gonna get the best corner or edge on the board with our late round 3 pick. Unless of course we need to move down after waiting three days for said pick.

 

[Allen2McVay]

#4-Jason Verrett​

If the Rams want to gamble a bit at the cornerback spot, they can give Verrett a shot. It wouldn’t quite be the same as when they signed Sam Shields a few years ago, but Verrett’s injury history is lengthy. He’s played a total of 19 games since 2016, only playing more than six games twice in his career.

Jason Verrett makes me sad. Terrific talent but can not stay on-the-field. 40 Games in 8 seasons! Yikes!!!

The fact that he is still in any discussion, or any team would even consider him is a testament to his talent.

Verrett is the rare former-49er ... NOT an original Niner ... that I can root-for. I have a Big-Heart!

 

[PARAM]

Looking like we're gonna get the best corner or edge on the board with our late round 3 pick. Unless of course we need to move down after waiting three days for said pick.

I found it amusing as I was looking over our past drafts, the one year we had a first round pick, we traded down. Like twice and we packaged one of the additional picks to move up in the third. That 1st rounder actually got us Rapp, D Long, Evans and Scott.

I fear those calling for CB or Edge at #104 might be in the same boat as those calling for OL early the last 3 drafts. Then again maybe they might surprise and go the direction most think they should go. But when has that happened?

Just for shits and giggles, I'll say TE, RB or OL with the first pick!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Fuller was a big get for Denver. He was benched last year. I think he’s likely done.

Callahan is strictly a nickel. They could use him.

There will be veterans cut or on the trade block after OTAs, then camp, and into the trade deadline. Id like Matthieu to sign with the Rams but if he doesn’t the door is not necessarily closed on getting a veteran corner.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

James Bradberry going to be a Ram......my best educated guess as he will be cut soon.

 

[KA210927]

Mathieu or Bradberry + a few draft picks = great defense

 

[fanotodd]

I don’t really like any of the guys mentioned for one reason or another—except maybe king.
1) health
2) age
3) $$
…drafting a day one starter at #104 is not realistic, though.

I smell in-season trade. Snead has done it before, and he might do it again.

 

[PressureD41]

What does everyone think about Kevin King former GB CB who I think lost starter status to Rasul Douglas (who I would have liked for the Rams).

I watched a lot of packer games. He gets picked on regularly. He’s really turrible (Barkley voice)!!!!

 

[PressureD41]

Give me Callahan & the honey badger please

 

[KA210927]

Give me Callahan & the honey badger please

Because honey badger is a stud slot cb i don’t know if they would need callahan. Let Long/Rochell split play time outside #2. Mathieu runs the slot /3rd cb (which is majority of snaps in current NFL). If they are doing another FA signing i think an edge would be better.

 

[CGI_Ram]

One less CB on our roster.

Rams waive Kareem Orr, officially lock in Travin Howard for 2022

The Rams waived DB Kareem Orr, and also locked in LB Travin Howard for 2022 after he signed his free-agent tender

theramswire.usatoday.com

Rams waive Kareem Orr, officially lock in Travin Howard for 2022​

With roster limits being 90 players during the offseason, the Rams have plenty of room in their building. But they don’t plan to have Kareem Orr around in 2022.

On Saturday, the Rams announced that they have waived Orr from the 90-man roster. He played two games last season, making four tackles but struggling in coverage when called into action against the Cardinals in Week 14.

In addition to waiving Orr on Saturday, the Rams also locked in Travin Howard for the 2022 season. He signed his restricted free agent tender, which will pay him $2.54 million.

As is the case with Matt Gay, the tender is not guaranteed so the Rams can move on from Howard at any time before Week 1 without penalty. Howard will likely be the third linebacker on the depth chart behind Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones.

 

[Merlin]

Honey Badger would make this defense better but he represents a marginal upgrade in the slot. KC had him there quite a bit but every year this league trends to what worked the year before and what the Rams did with Kupp is going to be copied. It doesn't matter that Kupp being so great (route running and mental anticipation) is what makes him so unstoppable in the slot, where he can influence the entire field and have that release advantage. You're going to see teams transitioning their best guys into that role (within reason of course i.e. probably not the outside-hash monster types like Metcalf but it might include him) in 2021. I don't think Mathieu will be able to hold up to that trend as a slot option.

Basically in about 3-5 years slot corners will be a paid group IMO. Defenses will adjust to what the offenses do as per usual which in this case is funneling catches into that position and using its advantages to make their best receiving weapons even better.

So for the Rams what matters is what can Mathieu do for them over the top. Which is where they struggle the most. Yes we do need a top slot. But I don't think the Rams look at Mathieu as an answer there. He'd probably make this defense better as a slot signing. But the greater need is consistent play over the top to reduce the field flipping and force teams to play for the first down.

What they need in the slot is a young player with fresh legs and plus cover skills. Someone sticky who will hold up to this trend that the media types don't realize is a trend yet. IMO.

 

[KA210927]

Honey Badger would make this defense better but he represents a marginal upgrade in the slot. KC had him there quite a bit but every year this league trends to what worked the year before and what the Rams did with Kupp is going to be copied. It doesn't matter that Kupp being so great (route running and mental anticipation) is what makes him so unstoppable in the slot, where he can influence the entire field and have that release advantage. You're going to see teams transitioning their best guys into that role (within reason of course i.e. probably not the outside-hash monster types like Metcalf but it might include him) in 2021. I don't think Mathieu will be able to hold up to that trend as a slot option.

Basically in about 3-5 years slot corners will be a paid group IMO. Defenses will adjust to what the offenses do as per usual which in this case is funneling catches into that position and using its advantages to make their best receiving weapons even better.

So for the Rams what matters is what can Mathieu do for them over the top. Which is where they struggle the most. Yes we do need a top slot. But I don't think the Rams look at Mathieu as an answer there. He'd probably make this defense better as a slot signing. But the greater need is consistent play over the top to reduce the field flipping and force teams to play for the first down.

What they need in the slot is a young player with fresh legs and plus cover skills. Someone sticky who will hold up to this trend that the media types don't realize is a trend yet. IMO.

Mahieu is best when he is in the slot. You aren’t going to find a better slot defender. He would be the best slot corner on the Rams roster.

 

[Merlin]

Mahieu is best when he is in the slot. You aren’t going to find a better slot defender. He would be the best slot corner on the Rams roster.

I said he would probably make us better in the post above. So we agree.

Just keep in mind that we played Ramsey in the slot vs some matchups. And that Ramsey is enormously better than Mathieu vs the run. So again he would help us but what does the future look like. How much does it cost. And all that.

And if the Rams simply draft a young corner who has some sticky coverage skills and a willingness to tackle they could be just as well off. In fact maybe they could be better off than a future where Mathieu is signed. He's not the only option. He's simply the best FA option right now.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

James Bradberry going to be a Ram......my best educated guess as he will be cut soon.

Why will he be cut? I don’t follow the Giants, so I’m just curious.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Why will he be cut? I don’t follow the Giants, so I’m just curious.

Apparently they need money to sign their draft picks because they are so over the CAP. This decision is most likely happening prior or during the draft which is why most teams aren't trading for him.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don’t really like any of the guys mentioned for one reason or another—except maybe king.
1) health
2) age
3) $$
…drafting a day one starter at #104 is not realistic, though.

I smell in-season trade. Snead has done it before, and he might do it again.

John Johnson was starting after 4 games and he was a third round pick. This draft is supposedly deep in the middle rounds.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Apparently they need money to sign their draft picks because they are so over the CAP. This decision is most likely happening prior or during the draft which is why most teams aren't trading for him.

Don’t teams have to follow waiver claims at some point soon? The Rams will be on the bottom of the pile. Or is that only for players released that were under contract?