Jaylen McCullough article

[Elmgrovegnome]

Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL.

But it's deeper than that. It's a football identity formed on the harsh gridirons in McCollough's native Georgia – a high school recruiting hotbed that McCollough's play earned him a four-star ranking and an eventual scholarship.


While he fell through the cracks in the pre-draft process, McCollough brings those experiences and mentality front and center when he shines as the Rams' newest defensive star. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee surprised many during training camp and after a strong preseason, McCollough has been an irreplaceable part of the Rams' defense.

Like another safety from the south, Derwin James, McCullough has been asked to play various roles that have carved out a unique position for him. He'll fluctuate between getting close to the line of scrimmage and dropping deep, he's an excellent tackler and has been used to plug the run. He's often assigned to the running back, displaying excellent discipline to not get faked out on play actions and wheel routes.

On Sunday, McCollough put in a season-high nine tackles against the Jets but none of those were as crucial as his coverage on Breece Hall in the endzone. McCollough's discipline and technique forced Aaron Rodgers to throw an uncatchable ball at the end of the first half. The Jets settled for three points to it would be their last score of the game. That play served as a crucial turning point in the Rams' 19-9 victory and now the team is one step closer to clinching the NFC West.

McCollough is also tied for ninth in the league with four interceptions, with his ball skills dissuading teams from throwing his way. McCollough's interceptions have played a pivotal role as his two against Las Vegas kickstarted the Rams' recent run of success and his pick against Seattle disrupted their offensive strategy to the point of ineffectiveness.


Thanks to one undrafted rookie signing, the Rams have their safety for the future. A gem waiting to be discovered, McCollough is not only one of the best undrafted free agents of 2024, he's one of the best players in the entire draft class period.

Rams DB Jaylen McCollough may be the best undrafted rookie of 2024

Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL. But it's deeper than that. It's a football identity formed on the…

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I wonder if McCullough one day takes over the Star position from Quentin Lake.

 

[Londoner]

I wonder if McCullough one day takes over the Star position from Quentin Lake.

Would Saturday be too soon?

 

[Jacobarch]

Would Saturday be too soon?

Lake has been underwhelming this year. But I also think playing that Star role is not easy. Even Ramsey had his issues playing the Star position. Being that it's essentially the MLB of the Defensive backfield teams can game plan away from the Star position or get Lake locked up 1v1 vs a good WR or TE. Don't get me wrong Lake has had his good moments but he often gets turned around in coverage or gets lost in the wash. I'm not sure if McCullough would be better suited for that role but I'm glad he's performing at a high level in his rookie season.

 

[Kupped]

I'm sorry... McCullough has had some good moments.. but Lake is a better football player.

 

[Londoner]

Lake has been underwhelming this year. But I also think playing that Star role is not easy. Even Ramsey had his issues playing the Star position. Being that it's essentially the MLB of the Defensive backfield teams can game plan away from the Star position or get Lake locked up 1v1 vs a good WR or TE. Don't get me wrong Lake has had his good moments but he often gets turned around in coverage or gets lost in the wash. I'm not sure if McCullough would be better suited for that role but I'm glad he's performing at a high level in his rookie season.

Sorry - I should have used blue font.

McCollough is definitely showing potential, but there’s no doubt that Lake, for all his limitations, is the better player at the moment.

However, I could see McCollough supplanting him next season.

 

[PhillyRam]

Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL.

But it's deeper than that. It's a football identity formed on the harsh gridirons in McCollough's native Georgia – a high school recruiting hotbed that McCollough's play earned him a four-star ranking and an eventual scholarship.


While he fell through the cracks in the pre-draft process, McCollough brings those experiences and mentality front and center when he shines as the Rams' newest defensive star. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee surprised many during training camp and after a strong preseason, McCollough has been an irreplaceable part of the Rams' defense.

Like another safety from the south, Derwin James, McCullough has been asked to play various roles that have carved out a unique position for him. He'll fluctuate between getting close to the line of scrimmage and dropping deep, he's an excellent tackler and has been used to plug the run. He's often assigned to the running back, displaying excellent discipline to not get faked out on play actions and wheel routes.

On Sunday, McCollough put in a season-high nine tackles against the Jets but none of those were as crucial as his coverage on Breece Hall in the endzone. McCollough's discipline and technique forced Aaron Rodgers to throw an uncatchable ball at the end of the first half. The Jets settled for three points to it would be their last score of the game. That play served as a crucial turning point in the Rams' 19-9 victory and now the team is one step closer to clinching the NFC West.

McCollough is also tied for ninth in the league with four interceptions, with his ball skills dissuading teams from throwing his way. McCollough's interceptions have played a pivotal role as his two against Las Vegas kickstarted the Rams' recent run of success and his pick against Seattle disrupted their offensive strategy to the point of ineffectiveness.


Thanks to one undrafted rookie signing, the Rams have their safety for the future. A gem waiting to be discovered, McCollough is not only one of the best undrafted free agents of 2024, he's one of the best players in the entire draft class period.

Rams DB Jaylen McCollough may be the best undrafted rookie of 2024

Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL. But it's deeper than that. It's a football identity formed on the…

sports.yahoo.com

Yeah, the S position is loaded with Lake & Curl for the next year and still have 4 more years of Kinchens & McCoulough. I would like to see them keep all 4, but probably not likley since both Lake & Curl are up after next year.

 

[I like Rams]

Really like McCullough, hits hard, good tackler, always around the ball...dude will hopefully be a stud in the next few years.

 

[Merlin]

Playing safeties in the slot is not ideal. It is rather something you do when your corners suck ass. Which ours do.

Going forward if either Lake or McCullough want to be in horns they're going to need to win a primary safety role. So from that perspective, i.e. that the Rams are undoubtedly going to add corners this upcoming offseason, it looks like we have four safeties which should provide good competition for those two spots.

I'd like to have a true ballhawk back there with range. I think that is what we are missing among these safeties. But if your pairing can play with great discipline you can get away with a lot in those spots. And if your corners are strong from there then you're good to go.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Playing safeties in the slot is not ideal. It is rather something you do when your corners suck ass. Which ours do.

Going forward if either Lake or McCullough want to be in horns they're going to need to win a primary safety role. So from that perspective, i.e. that the Rams are undoubtedly going to add corners this upcoming offseason, it looks like we have four safeties which should provide good competition for those two spots.

I'd like to have a true ballhawk back there with range. I think that is what we are missing among these safeties. But if your pairing can play with great discipline you can get away with a lot in those spots. And if your corners are strong from there then you're good to go.

I don’t think the Rams play any safeties in a true centerfield style role. The closest you get to a ball hawk is Kinchens.

 

[Merlin]

I don’t think the Rams play any safeties in a true centerfield style role. The closest you get to a ball hawk is Kinchens.

All defenses in the NFL play a percentage mix of the different coverages. Not sure what the Rams are at with Cover 1 percentage-wise but they play it and when they do they play it like shit because not only are our safeties not a great fit for that role, but our corners can't cover either.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

Yeah, the S position is loaded with Lake & Curl for the next year and still have 4 more years of Kinchens & McCoulough. I would like to see them keep all 4, but probably not likley since both Lake & Curl are up after next year.

I think we will be better off when the two younger players take over.

 

[Faceplant]

This has to be an AI article....

 

[ottoman89]

Lake has been underwhelming this year. But I also think playing that Star role is not easy. Even Ramsey had his issues playing the Star position. Being that it's essentially the MLB of the Defensive backfield teams can game plan away from the Star position or get Lake locked up 1v1 vs a good WR or TE. Don't get me wrong Lake has had his good moments but he often gets turned around in coverage or gets lost in the wash. I'm not sure if McCullough would be better suited for that role but I'm glad he's performing at a high level in his rookie season.

I don't think he's athletic/physical enough..

There is a kid named Sebastian Castro in the Draft from Iowa who played the CASH position at Iowa, roughly the same thing and he was great. Physical, tough, a ball hawk.


View: https://x.com/hawkeyeram4life/status/1829183801538555968?t=jefO5DtQD3jZBHnCK82Dgg&s=19

 

[JonRam99]

nice.... but at this point we need to spend draft capital on a CB1. Or a WR1.
A true CB1 would allow Kinchens & McCullough to play more free-range. I think so anyway.

 

[Jacobarch]

nice.... but at this point we need to spend draft capital on a CB1. Or a WR1.
A true CB1 would allow Kinchens & McCullough to play more free-range. I think so anyway.

Wr1 isn't a need. A burner is and we can definitely find one mid rounds
CB, DT, ILB, TE, WR in order of importance of position. Imo

 

[Corbin]

Wr1 isn't a need. A burner is and we can definitely find one mid rounds
CB, DT, ILB, TE, WR in order of importance of position. Imo

Here is my debate in my mocks I've done with CB and DT.

Both are obvious plugging a proper player our FO and coaching staff think is the best fit but here in lies th eproblem. What is more beneficial? Having a guy like Deone Walker (Kentucky) 6-6 348 or Kenneth Grant (Michigan) 6-3 339 manning the middle to complete our DL or a CB1 Like Revel, Morrision, and a few 2nd day prospects.

I'm very split what direction to go.

 

[Jacobarch]

Here is my debate in my mocks I've done with CB and DT.

Both are obvious plugging a proper player our FO and coaching staff think is the best fit but here in lies th eproblem. What is more beneficial? Having a guy like Deone Walker (Kentucky) 6-6 348 or Kenneth Grant (Michigan) 6-3 339 manning the middle to complete our DL or a CB1 Like Revel, Morrision, and a few 2nd day prospects.

I'm very split what direction to go.

I'm sure the rams will split their needs between FA and the draft.

 

[Corbin]

I'm sure the rams will split their needs between FA and the draft.

Well that's pretty obvious.. however they always have a few important thing son the shopping list. However it's nicer this year having some money to help out with our needs and wants. I'm sure we'll be looking for a capable WR this off season to relieve Puka and Kupp. Love @Merlin's idea of bringing in Tee Higgins.

 

[Jacobarch]

Well that's pretty obvious.. however they always have a few important thing son the shopping list. However it's nicer this year having some money to help out with our needs and wants. I'm sure we'll be looking for a capable WR this off season to relieve Puka and Kupp. Love @Merlin's idea of bringing in Tee Higgins.

Is Higgins a deep threat or a good possession type of wr?