Los Angeles Rams secondary has a new look

The Rams’ brain trust seems ready to go into battle with the current lineup.

The Los Angeles Rams secondary is sporting a new look after losing starters Rodney Mcleod and Janoris Jenkins in free agency. Mcleod and Jenkins were major contributors on defense last year and the Rams made efforts to retain both. However, neither are worth that kind of money and the team wisely decided not to match the offers extended by their NFC opponents.

The 5’11” Mcleod was a team captain that started every game at free safety for the last three seasons. The veteran’s hard hitting reputation earned him a 83.9 rating by Pro football focus in 2015. It is no surprise that the 25 year old was highly sought after in free agency before signing a lucrative 5 year deal worth 37 million with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Mcleod’s departure will be one of the biggest challenges the Rams face in 2016.

Jenkins was considered the team’s number one cornerback and started opposite Trummaine Johnson. The two made up one of the better pass defending tandems in the league and Jenkins was rated the 14th best corner in 2015. The 27 year old was highly sought after in free agency, despite having a tendency at times to give up the big play. The four year veteran signed a mega deal worth 62 million for five years with the New York Giants. There is no doubt Jenkins’ absence will be painful.

While 2016 will be challenge without Jenkins and Mcleod but Rams seem ready to go into battle with the current lineup. Here is a list of some of the players that will be called upon to step up in their absence season.

Trumaine Johnson is a former 3rd round pick that was ranked as the 12th best corner in the league last year. Johnson recorded 7 interceptions and 17 passes defensed, while allowing the lowest quarterback rating of any corner in the league. The Rams wisely chose to retain Johnson at season’s end. He will play under the franchise tag in 2016 where he will earn 13.95 million. He is the number one corner and the undisputed leader in the secondary this year. It will be up to four year veteran Johnson to lead an unproven group. This will be no small task, although the ragtag bunch has played well in limited action.

E.J. Gaines was projected to start opposite Janoris Jenkins in 2015 before a Lisfranc injury in his foot caused the second year cornerback to miss the entire season. Gaines had 63 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 15 games as a rookie. Although the 5’10” 190 lbs Gaines was drafted in the 6th round, he wowed the Rams’ front office in his debut season. The Rams are said to be bringing the third year veteran along slowly according to ESPN Staff Writer Nick Wagoner.

T. J. McDonald was drafted in the third round out of the University of Southern California. The former Trojan was lost to injury last season. The 6’2″ 217 lb McDonald has four sacks, 219 tackles, and two interceptions in his three years in the NFL. He is a solid safety but is facing league discipline for a DUI charge. McDonald was arrested in May. He is also recovering from a shoulder injury that caused the four year veteran to miss five games last season. McDonald  was excused from the teams OTAs due to his current legal issues.  The 25 year-old’s availability for the start of the season is uncertain.

Coty Senabaugh was acquired in free agency to compete with E.J. Gaines and the dynamic Marcus Roberson in an effort to replace Janoris Jenkins. Senabaugh was signed away from the Tennessee Titans in the off-season on a three year deal worth 15 million. A four year veteran, Senabaugh started 15 games in 2015 for the Titans and recorded 2 interceptions and 66 tackles. The 27 year old was a fourth round pick out of Clemson in 2012. He played under Gregg Williams in 2013 when Williams was an assistant coach for Tennessee. Senabaugh will likely assume the nickelback position if E.J. Gaines is healthy enough to start the season. After signing the former Titan, Fisher said of Senabaugh “Coty is an instinctive, smart, I think, productive player that you can plug in and play either side,” (Los Angeles Times) . Coty will clearly become the “go to guy” at cornerback if Gaines is unable to play.

Mark Barron is a safety turned linebacker which seems to be a league trend heading into 2016. Barron was a first round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that the Rams traded for during the 2014 Draft. The former Alabama safety played in all 16 games last season racking up 116 tackles, one sack and four forced fumbles. A fifth year veteran, Mark will be one of the best players to take the field for Los Angeles whether its at linebacker or safety.  Last year ” the Rams listed Barron as a “weak side safety” but no matter what label the depth chart showed, the best one to describe Barron was “productive.” (ESPN) The hard hitting 6’2″ 213 lb hybrid just signed a 5 year deal for 45 million and is a rising star on the teams defense.  Where he will line up this season is debatable.

Cody Davis is currently shown as the one and only free safety on the Rams depth chart. Davis was picked up as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech in 2013. The third year veteran re-signed in March to a two year deal. The 6’1″ 210 lb Davis had a total of ten tackles last season and has been a solid contributor on special teams.

The Rams also have capable defensive backs in Christian Bryant, Maurice Alexander and the scrappy Lamarcus Joyner who finished the season with 72 tackles. All four will vie for the vacancies left open by Jenkins and Mcleod. New stars will have to emerge quickly or LA will need to look for a solid vet via trade or after final roster cuts.

The franchise did add additional depth in rookie free agents  Rohan Gaines, Jordan Lomax and Brian Randolph who will compete for roster spots. The three safeties were talented college players, but it is unrealistic to think that they will be ready for anything more than a special teams’ role in 2016.

Losing their starting free safety and top corner in free agency is a tough break. On the bright side Coach Jeff Fisher and coordinator Gregg Williams are two of the best defensive minds in the NFL.

LA has some talent but they will suffer some growing pains as they develop chemistry. The Rams are one of the best at developing undrafted talent and Fisher is confident the team is in good shape.

When General Manager Les Snead was asked about the teams strategy with the secondary moving forward he replied “All of those guys play a role, … That’s how Gregg is.” (Los Angeles Times)

The biggest challenge for the Rams in the secondary will be filling the free safety position and keeping everyone healthy. The Rams need to find answers quickly because the regular season starts in less then 8 weeks.