Will The Los Angeles Rams Pursue Safety Michael Griffin?
The Los Angeles Rams have a lot of big decisions to make this offseason especially when it comes to their secondary. Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Rodney McLeod, and Mark Barron, who all assumed starting roles last season are all set to hit the free agent market.
Fans have to face the fact now that the Rams aren’t going to be able to bring all of those players back. Especially when it comes to Johnson and Jenkins who are going to demand big free agent money. Therefore, the Rams are going to have some holes that they will need to fill in the secondary.
Earlier this week, the Tennessee Titans released safety Michael Griffin. Griffin was selected by Jeff Fisher with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 draft. If McLeod doesn’t come back, the Rams are going to have a need at the free safety spot, and while Griffin is 31, he is someone Fisher is familiar with.
“I hope it doesn’t stop here. I mean I had a couple coaches already shoot me text messages and tell me to give them a call. People from different teams, former coaches of mine.” -Michael Griffin
Fisher has had a history bringing former Titans that he’s coached or drafted to the Rams. Those players include, Cortland Finnegan, Jared Cook, and Kenny Britt. Griffin put together Pro Bowl seasons twice in four season under Fisher.
While McLeod has taken his criticism in the past, he really turned a corner last season. According to Pro Football Focus, McLeod graded as the 10th best overall safety in 2015 and 19th in pass coverage. The Rams should make it a priority to re-sign him, but in all likelihood, there will be other teams who have interest.
Griffin on the other hand ranked as the 60th ranked safety and had a pass coverage grade of 63.6 compare to McLeod’s 79.8.
It is uncertain whether or not the Rams have interest in Griffin, but given his history with Fisher and the hole at the safety position, this is a move that would make sense. The Rams will be able to contact Griffin next Tuesday when his release becomes official.