John Johnson pegged as the one free agent the Rams can't afford to lose

[ROD-BOT]

John Johnson pegged as the one free agent the Rams can't afford to lose

Pro Football Focus thinks highly of John Johnson and says the Rams can’t afford to lose him.

theramswire.usatoday.com

John Johnson pegged as the one free agent the Rams can't afford to lose

John Johnson was drafted by the Rams in the third round in 2017, officially the third pick of the Sean McVay era. And all he’s done in the last four seasons is outplay his draft position by becoming one of the league’s best safeties despite not being recognized as a Pro Bowler once.

Johnson is versatile, has good ball skills, hits hard and rarely takes a bad angle to a ball carrier, which are all traits teams covet in a good safety. And unfortunately for the Rams, Johnson might be too good for them to retain.

He’s set to hit the free-agent market in March for the first time and will be highly sought after among safety-needy teams. Pro Football Focus highlighted the one free agent each team can’t afford to lose and for the Rams, it was Johnson.

While they have depth at safety, Johnson is a playmaker and also called the team’s defensive plays.

Johnson ranked fourth among all safeties in coverage grade in 2020, and this is no aberration. Since being drafted in 2017, he has the seventh-best coverage grade among all safeties. And defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s innovative scheme tremendously benefits a ballhawk safety in the deep third of the field.

Notably working against this reunion, the Rams have selected a handful of safeties over the past several drafts, many of whom traditionally have played free safety. If Los Angeles can’t make a deal work, the team should still be set moving forward.

If Johnson does leave in free agency, the Rams have options when it comes to replacing him. Jordan Fuller proved to be a strong starter in his rookie year, so he figures to remain in the starting lineup next season. Taylor Rapp started most of the year in 2019 when Johnson got hurt, so he also has experience. Terrell Burgess and Nick Scott also possess talent, particularly with the former being able to play all over the secondary.

Losing Johnson would hurt, but the Rams prepared for this possibility by drafting Fuller, Rapp and Burgess in the last two years.

 

[ottoman89]

It's going to be a tough decision on both JJ3 and Floyd. He's been energy and a baller since he got here.

The thing to me that gives Reynolds the edge is that we're better suited to lose JJ3 with the depth behind than we are Floyd.

And yes, I get that Floyds success was also due to Donald. But feel like Floyd was a bigger reason for our success this year.

 

[TexasRam]

It’s hard to quantify the value of a safety from a fan perspective. Unless you watch the all-22 there could be countless plays that a safety kills based on positioning alone.

Maybe some of you remember Joyner and the constant big plays we gave up. It was a huge hole in our defense. It’s for that reason and JJ’s excellent technique that shows up every week that I am hoping we find a way to keep him over Floyd. Which is saying a lot considering Floyd’s impact.

 

[NJRamsFan]

Thank you for your service John you’ve been a great Ram but we’ll live. He’s really really solid with some great leadership qualities (from what I read). We can’t afford to lose Donald or Ramsay on the defense everyone else is replaceable. Now go get me some blocking

 

[HX76]

I really don’t want to lose this bloke. I’m going to be disappointed aren’t I?

 

[Mister Sin]

I'm guessing the issue is going to be what our new defensive coordinator desires more.

Personally. We can't afford to keep Johnson of Floyd I don't think. But if we had to choose, I'm keeping Floyd. We don't have a backup for him while we can replace Johnson with current roster players.

 

[Giles]

Love JJ and Floyd but I rather the resources go to oline.

 

[ottoman89]

I typed Reynolds twice meaning Floyd and I can't edit it. Why is that?

 

[NJRamsFan]

I typed Reynolds twice meaning Floyd and I can't edit it. Why is that?

I think you have 30 mins if I’m not mistaken

 

[ottoman89]

I think you have 30 mins if I’m not mistaken

That makes sense. Not that it's any different than normal but it makes me look like an absolute idiot with Reynolds name in the post. Haha.

 

[NJRamsFan]

That makes sense. Not that it's any different than normal but it makes me look like an absolute idiot with Reynolds name in the post. Haha.

If you ask @Mojo Ram really nicely he might help ya out

 

[HX76]

That makes sense. Not that it's any different than normal but it makes me look like an absolute idiot with Reynolds name in the post. Haha.

I must admit my initial thought was “who is this idiot”.

 

[Selassie I]

I wouldn't break the bank for a safety.

 

[ottoman89]

I must admit my initial thought was “who is this idiot”.

touche!!

 

[Mister Sin]

I wouldn't break the bank for a safety.

I agree. With Burgess and Fuller and Rapp we are covered under rookie deals and don't have to spend a dime. And I think the Burgess/Fuller combo may be the best we've seen.

 

[thirteen28]

I'd love to keep him, he's a great guy. But with the depth we have at the position, the price he'll command, and our needs elsewhere, it would be hard to justify.

Hope he goes to an up-and-coming AFC team.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

It isn't even just the depth we have at Safety. It's Snead's clear ability to uncover talented safeties at any position in the draft that make me think we'll move on. I am a big fan of JJ though. He's played above and beyond expectations.

 

[Flatlyner]

Like you guys, I'll be sad to see him go, but I think he will. We cannot afford to give him a big deal at pricing in the top 10 for safeties, which he does deserve. We currently have 3 capable starters at safety without him (injury recoveries pending). We could likely sign a cheaper one or draft one later in the draft for depth. If we are spending money in FA (which we really don't have much of anyway) I'd like it to be on the OL or someone that can actually pass rush on their own, not needing Donald getting all the attention of the line to get them to the QB (i.e. see the Green Bay game and NOBODY getting any pressure with Donald out/injured).

 

[MadGoat]

I wouldn't break the bank for a safety.

And we know Les loves his comp picks. This is likely to be a nice one.

 

[ramfan46]

He's good, but I wouldn't pay him. Doesn't have great size, speed or even ball skills. He dropped 3 INT's this year. The depth is there to cover up his loss on D. I don't expect Burgess to play as well in hist first year starting, but the resources freed up should help the team overall. Getting a 3rd round comp pick if he signs a big deal elsewhere is a big win, imo.