LA Rams 2022 rookie class: Projecting the roster battles

[BonifayRam]

LA Rams 2022 rookie class: Projecting the roster battles​

Who will impress Sean McVay and earn a roster spot?
By Venie Randy Soares May 11, 2022

LA Rams 2022 rookie class: Projecting the roster battles

Who will impress Sean McVay and earn a roster spot?

www.turfshowtimes.com

With the Los Angeles Rams addition of 25 rookies, eight via the draft and 17 as undrafted free agents (UDFA’s) and the teams first rookie camp scheduled for May 13-15, which prospects will charge out of the gate, win their roster battles and impress Sean McVay and the LA coaching braintrust? The prize being coveted role on the final active roaster.

The Rams 2022 NFL Draft class should be viewed with measured expectations. They didn’t make their first choice (#104) until late on day two, at the the very end of the third round, and overall, only had two selections in the top 150 prospects. Another way to look at it is, the consensus grade on 22 of the 25 yearlings signed was late round/priority UDFA.

There are some openings for the rookies and some roster battles to win. Here’s a look at some of those battles. Who will step up and who is not ready for prime time? The names of the Rams projected roster are in bold.

Quarterback​

Matthew Stafford, John Wolford, Bryce Perkins

The Rams will probably add a camp arm, they usually start training camp with four, but there is no realistic rookie camp battle.

Running back​

Battle for RB3: Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson

5th round rookie, #164- Kyren Williams vs. Jake Funk, Xavier Jones, and Raymond Calais.​

RB3 is wide open. The entire Rams running back room has missed significant time due to injury, their production and potential is limited by both major and nagging ailments. Funk can be counted on top play hard on special teams or limited offensive snaps. Calais has elite speed and can return kickoffs. Jones is a smooth natural outside zone runner.

After a pedestrian NFL Combine workout that showed a lack of elite speed and agility, Williams lost draft stock. Is he a gem? Or just another one of the innumerable fifth rounders hanging on and hoping to carve out any kind of role.

Williams has a very good chance to not only make the roster, but earn important snaps as well. He offers good versatility, can run, catch and block from multiple sets. He runs with patience, vision and truly cuts on a dime. He is a willing blocker who takes on rushers, no toreador action. As a receiver he catches away from his body with soft hands and has slot and wideout capabilities.

He won’t make it on speed and power, Williams will need to use his vision, sharp cuts, and contact balance both running and receiving to earn a role.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1507380809631735813

Wide receiver​

Battle for WR6: Cooper Kupp. Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Bennett Skowronek

UDFA rookie- Lance McCutcheon vs. Brandon Powell, JJ Koski, Warren Jackson, and Landen Akers​

Atwell’s draft stock gets him another year. With a year in the LA system and his 300+ NFL snaps, Skowronek has huge leg up on the competition for WR5. If Atwell comes back strong, Powell could expendable at WR6. He certainly sparked the punt return game last season, but the Rams appear to be valuing contested catch ability with their latest wideout additions. Jackson is of that ilk. Koski and Akers got some snaps at special teams but didn’t really show much hint of potential.

McCutcheon fits the bill as a contested catch receiver. An alluring blend of size, speed, length and athleticism. As you would expect, he has stellar hand/eye coordination, ball reaction skills, times his jumps well and strongly catches away from his body. His route tree is very limited, he ran a lot of boundary streaks.

A year on the practice squad is most likely. There is potential here but he will have to show that he can run a NFL route tree, create separation and battle NFL calibre cornerbacks down the field.

Tight end​

Battle for TE4: Tyler Higbee, Brycen Hopkins, Kendall Blanton, Jacob Harris

UDFA rookies- Jamal Pettigrew and Roger Carter vs. Kyle Markway​

Placing Harris in this unit makes it appear full, his speed and potential will keep him around. Hopkins and Blanton’s late season solid play earn them a long look. Markway is the same boat as the rookies, IF one of the holdovers falters and IF they have a huge camp, any one could get them in running for TE4.

Pettigrew is a former four-star recruit who spent four seasons with LSU. His Pro Day numbers were adequate, but his good hands, pro-ready frame/length and downfield playmaking prowess could create mismatches with some polish work. He is a good blocker when keeps leverage and uses those long arms. His physical traits and ability to stretch the field play give him potential.

Carter lacks the prototypical height and length of NFL tight ends, but blocks with good technique and has soft receiving hands. His is a long journey to NFL roster, some experts think he would be a good fit in a transition to fullback.

Offensive line​

Battle for OL8, and OL9: Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Rob Havenstein, Logan Bruss, Coleman Shelton, Alaric Jackson.

3rd round rookie Logan Bruss, 6th round rookie AJ Arcuri and UDFA rookie Jack Snyder vs, Tremayne Anchrum, Bobby Evans, Chandler Brewer, Jeremiah Kolone, Adrian Ealy, Max Pircher​

Last season, the Rams broke training camp with 10 offensive linemen, and may very well do so again, if so, maybe OL10 is in play as well. By all reports, the Rams expect Bruss to compete for a starting position, so barring injury or total collapse, he’s penciled in. Shelton and Jackson appear locked.

Evans and Anchrum seem the most likely to fill OL8&9 roles. Evans has filled in for eight starts and 564 snaps over his three years. Anchrum offers positional versatility. Brewer, Kolone, and Ealy know the system, but have been career practice squaders. Pircher is still learning the American game.

Arcuri seems better suited to a downhill power scheme, but may have potential to be a future swing tackle backup. Can be stashed on practice squad, while learning the pro game. Has the hands, wingspan and strength to succeed.

Snyder, while limited in length, has the movement skills and versatility to play all five line positions. He has good technique in both pass and run blocking, but needs lower body and play strength. Another practice squad player who could surprise and sneak a roster spot

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1520261476371484673

Off ball linebacker​

Battle for LB4: Bobby Wagner, Ernest Jones, Travin Howard

UDFA rookie Jake Hummel vs. Christian Rozeboom and Anthony Hines​

In what appears to be a mostly special teams role, LB4 could had. Rozeboom was a college tackle machine who grabbed 56 special teams snaps as a rookie. He was let go by the Rams last season in final cuts and snatched up by the Kansas City Chiefs. LA re-signed him in November after KC waived him and he played in 10 games. Hines is a developmental/camp body.

Hummel is a fast, athletic and relentless player, the prototypical traits for a special teams standout. He does have some play recognition deficiencies and needs work on shedding blocks, He has good strength and big hands, relative length, and plays an aggressive game. Willing to to take on bigger players in the gaps and has good ball skills.

Edge​

Battle for E5: Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett

7th round rookie Daniel Hardy and UDFA rookies Keir Thomas, Brayden Thomas, Benton Whitley, and Andrzej Hughes-Murray vs. each other​

There is a starting spot up for grabs as well as E5. Hollins has two years as a rotational player and on special teams. He has been a good role piece, helped out on special teams, and had earned a starting spot before a season-ending pectoral injury. Lewis has tantalizing potential, but is injury prone and must have his play time regulated. Garrett has the get-off and speed to pass rush off the edge, but needs to develop his ability to set the edge.

Hardy is hot-motored and a stellar athlete. His relentless pursuit profiles well to being valuable on special teams. Keir Thomas is more of a power player and offers versatility to play multiple defensive line/edge positions and can stack and shed blockers. If LA goes to more 4-3/4-2 looks he could find a role. Brayden Thomas is another power guy with positional versatility and good athleticism. His lack of length and limited pass rush moves will most likely limit him to the practice squad. Whitley is a small school guy who looks the part with a powerful frame and great length. Tested very well at Pro day. Another relentless pursuer who need grooming versus better competition. Hughes-Murray is athletic, but didn't make enough plays in college, camp body.

Daniel Hardy and Benton Whitley are similar in growth and potential to current Rams edge Chris Garrett. All three just need a little time. Keir Thomas has the versatility to add value. Injuries could easily move any of these three prospects onto the roster.

Defensive line​

Battle for DL6: Aaron Donald, A’Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, Bobby Brown, Michael Hoecht

UDFA rookies Elijah Garcia and Dion Novil vs. Marquise Copeland, Jonah Williams and Earnest Brown​

After year on the practice squad, Hoecht played in all 2021-22 games, he has a pretty good grip on DL5. Jonah Williams is big and athletic, he bounced from LA’s practice squad to Minnesota and back, seeing action eight Rams games. Copeland has been with the Rams three years and been active for 10 games, he’s a smaller player who can play up and down the line. EBrown was a 2021 fifth round pick #174 who spent all last season on the practice squad, he a smaller player who might have a role in a 4-3 front.

Garcia has great size and length, is very athletic and has plus upper body strength. He needs a season of lower body strength work and playing against stiffer competition. Novil shows better on tape than he tested, albeit against lesser competition. He’s a strong gap plugger who has good get-off and never quits pursuing.

Both Garcia and Novilwere very good against lower level competition and need a year of NFL strength/conditioning work. I happen to like both and think they have potential to be rotational players, just not in 2022.

Safety​

Battle for S5: Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott

6th round rookie Quentin Lake, 7th round rookie Russ Yeast, UDFA rookies Jairon McVea, and Daniel Isom vs. Jake Gervase and each other.​

With the top four locked in, it will be a special teams competition for S5 and who knows, maybe S6. Gervase has bounced between the Rams active roster and practice squad since joining LA in 2019. He has put on mass and is now more of a hybrid S/LB.

McVea and Isom are camp bodies/long shots and will battle for a place on the practice squad.

Lake looks like a smart and instinctual player who fits into a cover2 scheme with his ball skills and downhill linear burst. He played special teams at UCLA and that role could be his ticket to the Rams active roster.

Yeast is smallish nickel-type of safety. Has adequate speed and good agility, but his strength is his competitive nature. He’s an alpa-type with three years of cornerback experience and is willing to mix it up vs. the run. Good ball skills and has one season of returning kicks.

Depending on how the Rams build their roster, an added safety spot might allow both these prospects to make the final roster. If it is only one though, Yeast can offer better versatility and should press Lake onto the practice squad.

Cornerback​

Battle for CB5: Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, David Long, Robert Rochell

4th round rookie Decobie Durant, 6th round rookie Derrion Kendrick and UDFA rookies TJ Carter, Duron Lowe, and Caesar Williams vs. Grant Haley and Tyler Hall​

The draft day reunion of the Rams and Hill solidifies a position of need and allows the Rams to groom draftees Durant and Kendrick instead of a baptism by fire. Haley and Hill are both bottom of the unit members and what they offer can easily be replaced by the youngsters.

Carter has had starts at free and strong safety and cornerback. Lowe has good speed, coverage skills and can return kicks. Williams has a lot of zone coverage and special teams experience from college. All three are battling for the practice squad.

Durant is competitive, fast and agile. He has good ball skills, is loose and smooth gong forward and backwards or flipping his hips open and can run with anyone. He is kind of an ankle-biter tackler, but willing to attack ball carriers below the waist. In a man coverage scheme, he would be limited, but in LA’s base zone he can play just about anywhere.

After testing poorly at his Pro Day, Kendrick tumbled down draft boards. He started as a wide receiver at Clemson and was forced over to defense because of team injuries. Four-year SEC starter who has experience and both man and zone coverage. On film he shows sticky man coverage on mid and underneath routes, but doesn’t ave the long speed to run with deep routes. Although not a great tackler, he comes up strong and is willing.

Durant has the moxie and athleticism to get on the field and would certainly be snatched up if LA tried to sneak him on to the practice squad. Kendrick had a couple of poor, high-profile games, a bad Pro day and has some gun/weed issues in his past and could, most likely, he could be put on the practice squad with little notice. I think he could fit into an aggressive package that calls for a high shell coverage and the corners playing man to man underneath.

View: https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1522382387069423616/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1522382387069423616%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turfshowtimes.com%2F2022%2F5%2F11%2F23062436%2Fla-rams-sean-mcvay-roster-battles

Special teams (punter)​

Battle for P1: Cameron Dicker vs. Riley Dixon

Anyone’s guess is as good as mine. Dicker offers the ability to kickoff and convert PAT’s, in addition to punting. Dixon has the experience edge.

So, which rookies make the squad?​

Even keeping measured expectations, Kyren Williams at running back, Logan Bruss at guard, and Decobie Durant should all make the 53. Not just make the team, but play quality snaps and add value.

For safeties Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast, and cornerback Derrion Kendrick, two make it. It’s all about special teams. I like Yeast’s fiesty play and am ambivalent about Lake and Kendrick.

Of the UDFA’s, I like Jack Snyder at swing guard, his move skills and solid technique could overcome his strength issues, and Daniel Hardy on the edge, he’s another Chris Garrett with the traits to play on special teams while grooming. I also like DL Keir Thomas, but not sure where to fit him in. He could fill the Marquise Copeland role as a smaller versatile guy that does the dirty work. There are others who have some potential/traits that I like, but belong on the practice squad unless injuries force them into competing for a role.

If the Rams can integrate six rookies onto the 2022 roster, considering their draft capital and overall roster depth, it should be considered a measured success.

 

[BonifayRam]

Ranking Rams' rookies by potential impact in 2022​

Cameron DaSilva May 10, 2022

Ranking Rams' rookies by potential impact in 2022

Which rookies have the best chance to make an impact with the Rams in 2022? We ranked them from No. 1 to 8.

theramswire.usatoday.com

The eight players drafted by the Los Angeles Rams this year are joining a team that won the Super Bowl last season and has a legitimate chance to repeat as world champions. That makes it difficult for any rookies to have a significant impact in 2022, but the Rams have a few who should help the team next season.
We ranked every rookie draft pick in order of their potential impact in 2022, beginning with the top pick, Logan Bruss.

1-G Logan Bruss (Round 3, Pick 104)​

Bruss absolutely has the best chance of any Rams rookie to make a significant impact in 2022. He’ll compete with a handful of players for the starting right guard spot, but there’s no reason to think he can’t win that battle. A college offensive tackle, Bruss has some experience at guard and his size will make him an asset on the interior – especially considering how good he is in pass protection, allowing one sack in the last three years.

2-CB Decobie Durant (Round 4, Pick 142)​

The second spot on this list is really close between Durant and Derion Kendrick. Kendrick is probably the more prepared and polished defender, but Durant fits well in the nickel role and his playmaking ability should show through in camp and the preseason. Both players will need to beat out David Long Jr. and Robert Rochell in order to earn playing time, but Durant has a slightly better chance to do that after seeing him excel at South Carolina State last season.

3-CB Derion Kendrick (Round 6, Pick 212)​

Kendrick’s lack of top-end speed could cause him to struggle as a boundary cornerback in single coverage. However, he can play inside where speed isn’t as essential for defensive backs. If he can prove he’s ready to put in the work as a professional, given the character concerns he enters the NFL with, Kendrick could find himself in the starting lineup at some point in 2022.

4-RB Kyren Williams (Round 5, Pick 164)​

As of now, Williams is the fourth or fifth running back on the depth chart. Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. are the top two guys, while Xavier Jones and Jake Funk are favorites of the coaching staff. That’s what Williams is up against this summer. But what gives him a chance to contribute right away is his willingness to step up in pass protection. He brings value as a blocker, as well as a receiver, which there’s always room for in the NFL.

5-S Quentin Lake (Round 6, Pick 211)​

Taylor Rapp is hardly locked in as the starting safety next to Jordan Fuller, which leaves the door open for Lake to step in. He can cover the deep half or come down and line up in the slot, making him a versatile defender who’s probably an upgrade over Rapp in coverage. Lake also has to contend with Nick Scott and Terrell Burgess, who are also solid coverage safeties capable of playing multiple positions, too.

6-S Russ Yeast (Round 7, Pick 253)​

Yeast’s primary role will most likely be on special teams before earning playing time on defense, but he plays hard and always seemed to be around the ball in college. The Rams need depth at safety, so that will help Yeast make the roster, but there are also more proven players ahead of him.

7-OLB Daniel Hardy (Round 7, Pick 235)​

Hardy might need to learn for a year like Chris Garrett did before eventually carving out a role for himself in 2023. He comes from a small school and is undersized, so there will be an adjustment period going from Montana State to the NFL. He’ll earn his spot on the 53-man roster with his play on special teams.

8-OT A.J. Arcuri (Round 7, Pick 261)​

The Rams are in search of a new swing tackle after promoting Joe Noteboom to starting left tackle, but there are already some quality options on the roster, namely Alaric Jackson and Bobby Evans. Arcuri could still make the team as a reserve tackle, but that’s far from certain and it’s hard to see him contributing much as a rookie in 2022.

 

[fearsomefour]

I see our top 5 picks making the roster.
I like our D a lot better with Wagner and Hill in the fold.
Yeast and Hardy have the opportunity to take the same route Scott and Hoecht have taken.
Special teamers working eventually into some reps.

 

[Ram Ts]

For the 2022 season, will there be protected PS guys? I seem to recall in past years there was a rule allowing you to protect a few PS guys from being taken by other teams. Anyone know?

Edit: researched it and it seems like this is no longer the case. No special holds for any PS guy. If another team wants your guy, they can take him as long as they sign him to their 53 man roster (& required to stay there for at least 3 weeks).

 

[Memento]

It's embarrassing how utterly wrong this guy is (and his grammar is poor as well.) I'm going to write my own article on this subject, just to show how fucking wrong he is (I honestly tried to stop reading at Arcuri being a sixth round pick. Laughable. I say "tried to" because I wanted to stop...but I forced myself to read more. I regretted it.)

I'm sorry, he's just so goddamned wrong in his research that I was literally insulted as both a Rams fan and a writer.

 

[Merlin]

I'll say I think we added two starters in the draft in Bruss and Durant. No doubt about either. Bruss just has to not fuck it up. Durant has the ball skills nobody else has and will almost surely start at one of two spots.

Williams will win the RB2 role in camp. The moment he runs his first pass blocking drill it's curtains for Hendy and he'll be slid down to where he should be which is a pass-catchy RB3 and his expensive hair extensions will look great on TV when he's on the bench.

Lake and Yeast have advantages in that they're entering a secondary with a lot of shitty tape last year at safety. A lot of play lacking feel for space and depth IMO. So they're longshots I think but the Rams will play you over someone drafted higher which means come in and learn quickly and either might end up in the mix. Just a hunch here, but my intuition tells me they want Lake opposite Fuller. We'll see but either way I am glad they added competition to that safety room.

Kendrick the long speed on film really bothers me. He gets dusted quickly on film and the more I watch the more I scratch my head. Keep hearing he can play inside, well, we're seeing teams putting studs in the slot now more and more. So hard call and since I don't have a good feel gonna leave him as an unknown.

Arcuri is a pipeline guy. I presume he bounces someone off the depth chart and someday we'll see.

 

[BonifayRam]

I'll say I think we added two starters in the draft in Bruss and Durant. No doubt about either. Bruss just has to not fuck it up. Durant has the ball skills nobody else has and will almost surely start at one of two spots.

Williams will win the RB2 role in camp. The moment he runs his first pass blocking drill it's curtains for Hendy and he'll be slid down to where he should be which is a pass-catchy RB3 and his expensive hair extensions will look great on TV when he's on the bench.

Lake and Yeast have advantages in that they're entering a secondary with a lot of shitty tape last year at safety. A lot of play lacking feel for space and depth IMO. So they're longshots I think but the Rams will play you over someone drafted higher which means come in and learn quickly and either might end up in the mix. Just a hunch here, but my intuition tells me they want Lake opposite Fuller. We'll see but either way I am glad they added competition to that safety room.

Kendrick the long speed on film really bothers me. He gets dusted quickly on film and the more I watch the more I scratch my head. Keep hearing he can play inside, well, we're seeing teams putting studs in the slot now more and more. So hard call and since I don't have a good feel gonna leave him as an unknown.

Arcuri is a pipeline guy. I presume he bounces someone off the depth chart and someday we'll see.

I agree strongly with your safety unit comments.

Most see this unit as somewhere between solid to strong due to :

#1- Rams have a drafted 4th yr safety who has played in close to 60 Ram gms since his arrival plus started in all 4 post-regular-season games & played better than the two-season starters.................

#2- Rams have a 4th yr safety who DC Morris is very high on he arrived as your top draft selection in 2019 and came with plenty of positive press. He has been on the field & listed as the starter since his rookie season. He is rarely in a position to make any kind of a play.

#3- DC Morris When has a 3rd yr Ram drafted safety who has started since he was a rookie & was the defensive signal-caller for your 2021 defense.......just does not have enough deep speed to start on the back side of the secondary.

#4- The 4th DC Morris safety who he does not utilize is a former 3rd rd Ram selection in 2020 who has lurked as a top versatile reserve ever since.....

I am highly disappointed in this cadre & ready for some playmakers to finally get on the field.

 

[oldnotdead]

Bruss will be the starter at RG. IMO the real position in question is LG. Edwards struggled against top competition. If he does again he will be replaced at the bye week, probably with Shelton. Or Carberry might go with Shelton from day one since I think Edwards is gone next year. They have potential OG depth in Jack Snyder, who has the potential to be a solid backup.

Durant will be the nickel DB who can play inside or boundary allowing Morris to move Ramsey anywhere. Ramsey, Rochell, and Durant give Morris 4.3 speed in his CBs.

Williams will take Michel's snaps after the bye week if not before. I like this pick as a targeted role player. He was drafted specifically to be the 3rd down RB, because of his blocking and receiving skills. They have the speed and breakaway threats in Akers and Henderson.

Lake was drafted to replace Rapp next year. Lake is faster than Rapp, but he lacks Rapp's play recognition skills. That said Lake is a better scheme fit for Morris' scheme.

Kendrick right now looks like PS material. His lack of speed is a huge concern. He's limited to being in the box short zone. He will have to win a roster spot on STs.

Hardy is expected to replace Hollins next year. He's got a lot of potential but he's raw. I think he could replace Lewis if Terrell doesn't begin to blossom. Lewis has two years to be the starter. Hardy could be way ahead of him by then. Until that time Hardy has the athleticism to play STs until he improves his technique. OLB wll be a positional transition for him so he's going to need time to develop. A starting right edge needs not only to set a hard edge in the run defense, and be a threat in the pass rush, but he needs to drop into coverage something Lewis and Fowler before him struggled at.

Yeast will have to make it on STs or he's PS.

Arcuri has potential but needs a whole lot of work on technique and his footwork. Technique and physical training mean PS. I think they are looking at him to replace Jackson who will take Havenstein's spot at RT next year.

Harris is a WR now, not a TE according to McVay. They are set 3 deep at TE with Higbee, Blanton, and Hopkins. When they sign OBJ, it could make Tutu irrelevant. As much as I like Jefferson (which is a lot) I still think he might be trade bait because with Benny Sko and Harris they can hold the line until OBJ is healthy. With the emergence of Blanton, they could also play more 2 TE sets.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Game one?
I don't see any of these draft picks starting.
It's not really how Snead or McVay have ever handled things since they got here.

When they draft a player, they actually have a role they want that player to fill, but they want those rookies to grow into those rolls with complete understanding of the defense or offense before they will risk putting them on the field.

The Rams do an outstanding job of scouting players for specific needs and coaching them up to fill those needs.

Every player they have to replace, they usually have two guys that they feel can step up in the short-term.

I would be absolutely surprised if any of these rookies see ANY action at all before two or three games and certainly don't feel they will start before mid season baring injury, (not including special teams).

 

[Allen2McVay]

Williams will take Michel's snaps after the bye week if not before.

Sony Michel signed with Miami.

 

[Florida_Ram]

Rookie OG Logan Bruss will be given every opportunity possible to start at RG. If for some reason he fails, Shelton, Anchrum, Evans or Brewer will win the starting job. Hard to predict who would win the starting RG spot if Bruss stumbles.

Rookie CB Decobie Durant will be in the mix for the starting nickel spot and possibly more (outside), but if he fails to live up to the hype, Troy Hill, Robert Rochelle and David Long will keep the rookie sitting on the pine to start the season.

Rookie RB Kyren Williams will likely win the #3 RB spot and push #2 RB Darrell Henderson for playing time. If Henderson gets dinged up again early in the season, the Notre Dame rookie will get his chance to siege the opportunity to be Akers primary backup.

 

[OldSchool]

I'm 100% starting the Jamal Pettigrew bandwagon!

 

[BonifayRam]

Rams bring back old friend Troy Hill, draft four DBs to replenish secondary around Jalen Ramsey​

Nick WagonerESPN Staff Writer

Rams bring back old friend Troy Hill, draft four DBs to replenish secondary around Jalen Ramsey

With Darious Williams having left, the Rams brought Hill back from Cleveland to play corner and spent most of their draft capital on defensive backs.

www.espn.com

In an offseason of upheaval in the Los Angeles Rams' secondary, cornerback Jalen Ramsey remains the constant. The group's best player, sure, but also the team's most vocal and enthusiastic recruiter.

Which is why it was no surprise to see Ramsey take to Twitter during the NFL draft encouraging Rams fans to "blow up" the mentions of then free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu. Alas, Ramsey's pursuit of Mathieu didn't go far, as he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Absent that one big move, the Rams weren't shy about making plenty of other additions to a secondary that lost cornerback Darious Williams to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency.

Headlining the list was a trade that made Ramsey quite happy, as the Rams sent a 2023 fifth-round selection to the Cleveland Browns to re-acquire cornerback Troy Hill. Yes, the same Hill who played for the Rams from 2016-20 before signing a two-year, $9 million deal with Cleveland last offseason is back in the fold after the Rams struggled to replace him last season.

Armed with seven picks on Day 3 of the draft, the Rams spent four of those choices on defensive backs, adding South Carolina State cornerback Decobie Durant in the fourth round, UCLA safety Quentin Lake (sixth round), Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick (sixth round) and Kansas State safety Russ Yeast (seventh round).

"DB was definitely something we were going to strategically target," Rams general manager Les Snead said. "There was a moment where players that we liked were still on the board and let's double down, triple down."

If nothing else, Hill's return gives the Rams needed stability and versatility to complement Ramsey as the Rams sort through other options that include the aforementioned rookies and the likes of David Long Jr., Robert Rochell, Grant Haley and Tyler Hall.

Because Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris likes to use Ramsey all over the defense, Hill's ability to do a little of everything should also come in handy.

"He's a guy that played really good football for us," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "I think just the overall production, the position flexibility, the ability to play that nickel, the star position and be able to play outside and, as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. ... Being able to get him back, he was excited and I know the players are excited to get him back here with us as well."

Hill enjoyed a breakout season with the Rams in 2020 in which he posted three interceptions, 10 passes defended and scored a league-high three defensive touchdowns. In 12 games with the Browns, Hill had no interceptions and just one pass defended.

While Hill said he enjoyed the people he met in Cleveland, he said he learned "the grass is never as green on the other side" in his year away from the Rams.

"Even when I was in Cleveland, I always found myself trying to compare things to how it was done over here in L.A.," Hill said. "I don't know if it was me more so just trying to compare as far as this is what a winning program [does], or if I was just missing everything that was happening over here."

As for the rookies, immediate playing time will likely have to come in the form of special teams, but each brings something different to the table the Rams could tap into if needed.

Regardless of how it shakes out in the near term, Snead believes that making the secondary the first priority in this draft will pay off over the long haul.

"I often say in some draft classes where it's very similar to a mutual fund where OK you are going to bring in a lot of players with different skill sets, genres, and you put them in the room and it just becomes a very competitive and obviously deeper room," Snead said.

 

[Merlin]

"I often say in some draft classes where it's very similar to a mutual fund where OK you are going to bring in a lot of players with different skill sets, genres, and you put them in the room and it just becomes a very competitive and obviously deeper room," Snead said.

Load the room up and let the competition dictate who gets the job. Best way to do it.

Last year there was nobody who could really lock down the slot. We gave up damn near the most yards from the slot in the league on defense. This means it won't be Long, it won't be Burgess, and it won't be Rochell.

This year you have two drafted rooks who can compete for the job plus Hill is back. Best case scenario is Durant. He's the piece who gives us INT threat.

Opposite Ramsey will be Long vs Rochell vs Hill. No idea how that one's going to turn out but best case IMO is that Rochell wins it and gives us two long corners on the boundary.

 

[Tano]

Sony Michel signed with Miami.

I think OND meant to say the he will take the snaps that Michel had last year once he is up to speed.

Until then Henderson will take Michel's snaps.

 

[fanotodd]

Game one?
I don't see any of these draft picks starting.
It's not really how Snead or McVay have ever handled things since they got here.

When they draft a player, they actually have a role they want that player to fill, but they want those rookies to grow into those rolls with complete understanding of the defense or offense before they will risk putting them on the field.

The Rams do an outstanding job of scouting players for specific needs and coaching them up to fill those needs.

Every player they have to replace, they usually have two guys that they feel can step up in the short-term.

I would be absolutely surprised if any of these rookies see ANY action at all before two or three games and certainly don't feel they will start before mid season baring injury, (not including special teams).

That’s really been their M.O., hasn’t it?
Kupp is the only rookie who was “supposed” to start week 1, but only because the Rams were running with 3 WRs. They had already picked up 2 starters via trade and FA before the draft.

Other rookies who started week one earned the spot during camp when the projected starter was hurt or banged up. Fuller (Rapp) comes to mind.

Bruss is the only guy I see who could be starting opening day and even he might begin behind someone else until THEY get hurt.

…now, 3 or 4 games later things could change. Our starting MLB (EJones) is an example of that process.

 

[So Ram]

That’s really been their M.O., hasn’t it?
Kupp is the only rookie who was “supposed” to start week 1, but only because the Rams were running with 3 WRs. They had already picked up 2 starters via trade and FA before the draft.

Other rookies who started week one earned the spot during camp when the projected starter was hurt or banged up. Fuller (Rapp) comes to mind.

Bruss is the only guy I see who could be starting opening day and even he might begin behind someone else until THEY get hurt.

…now, 3 or 4 games later things could change. Our starting MLB (EJones) is an example of that process.

Well Cam Akers was that guy,but he was hurt. Gerald Everett was the 12.
John Johnson started fairly fast as well.
David Edwards started pretty quick as well.He has never looked back for almost 3 seasons & going into his 4th along with Scott,Henderson & Rapp.

 

[fanotodd]

Well Cam Akers was that guy,but he was hurt. Gerald Everett was the 12.
John Johnson started fairly fast as well.
David Edwards started pretty quick as well.He has never looked back for almost 3 seasons & going into his 4th along with Scott,Henderson & Rapp.

Everett was TE #2, behind Higbee.
JJ3 started because Rapp was hurt in camp.
I don’t believe any of the other guys started opening day.

Edwards is a good example of coming in after the season starts and stays on the field.

Scott has always got some snaps on D, but he might finally get his shot to start.

 

[Neil039]

How will all the effect Creed Humphries this year? Just asking for a friend….

 

[TheTackle]

The more I look closely at this draft the better I like it! The bottom of our roster looks like it will be stronger than ever! Which is saying something...

Quentin Lake and Russ Yeast were two of the draft's best slot defenders

Quentin Lake and Russ Yeast were both among the best power-five defenders in the draft when it came to covering the slot

theramswire.usatoday.com

The only possible major weakness is at Edge. That said, Justin Hollins has proved he is a solid starter and we have some major potential in reserve. If one player breaks out here then we could be in for some fireworks on D