Los Angeles Rams Add Depth to the Defense With Steve Williams

The Los Angeles Rams look to bolster the secondary by signing DB Steve Williams.

While the finishing touches are being added to the field at Levi’s Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams are preparing to head north and face their NFC West rivals in the San Francisco 49ers. Part of this preparation has been a re-evaluation of the 53-man roster and addressing the clear shallow spots of the roster.

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One the of spots of clear concern during preseason for the Rams was the defensive secondary and thus elected to reach out and sign former San Diego Chargers defensive back Steve Williams. The 2013 fifth-round pick out of Cal Berkley was waived Sunday by the Chargers after previously making the 53-man roster.

Having only four cornerbacks on the roster before this move, it was a move that needed to happen for Los Angeles to give them some much-needed depth at the position. Although Williams missed his entire rookie season with a torn pectoral muscle in 2013, he’s put up respectable stats over the previous two years with San Diego while playing in 27 games.

In those 27 games, Williams managed to record two forced fumbles to go along with two interceptions and a sack, but only started two games.

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The corresponding move to make room on the roster for Williams came by waiving UFA rookie linebacker Nicholas Grisby out of Pittsburgh. The trade of experience in a thin defensive back group for a rookie in a formidable linebacking corps is one that seems like a move that should have a big payoff, especially heading into a tough Week 1 matchup on the road.