Los Angeles Rams Have Questions at Free Safety Heading Into 2016

By Tyler Nelson | Sep 11, 2016

Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Donteea Dye (17) makes a catch while being defended by St. Louis Rams strong safety Maurice Alexander (31) and free safety Rodney McLeod (23) in the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

With Rodney McLeod taking his talents to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Rams go into San Francisco this week with a hole at the free safety position.

The 2016 NFL season begins Monday for the Los Angeles Rams on the road as they take on the San Francisco 49ers in what should be a tough NFC West matchup. The Rams are looking to get off to a great start on the season, and should feel confident as they are listed as early favorites heading into Monday’s game.

Los Angeles will heavily rely on their defensive line to get pressure on quarterback Blaine Gabbert, as the Rams secondary and linebacker core looks a bit shaky coming out of the preseason. One of the reasons why the Rams’ defense suddenly looks shaky is because of the big question mark at the free safety position.

More from Rams News

Los Angeles did little in free agency concerning free safety this past offseason, and it looks like the decision could come back to haunt them based off the preseason. When Rodney McLeod departed to the Philadelphia Eagles, many fans, including myself, were shaken about the move because he was developing into a very promising free safety for the Rams.

Now that he is gone, the Rams suddenly have no one to go to at the position.

As of right now, Los Angeles currently has Maurice Alexander and T.J. McDonald penciled in as the starters at safety. However, the Rams have McDonald listed as the starter at free safety and Alexander starting at strong safety.

When thinking of reasons for concern, it should be noted that McDonald has no starting experience at free safety and he is a natural strong safety due to how he likes to play down in the box. Not to mention his coverage skills are suspect.

Coming out of USC, McDonald was known as being a hard-hitter and a run-stopping safety–which playing the position allows him to do. Taking McDonald out of his natural position could be a risky move that the Rams may have to do.

The other main concern is that Alexander is also a natural strong safety. Like McDonald, Alexander is a hard-hitter and his coverage skills are not superb. Not to mention this will be Alexander’s first year as being the full-time starter for the Rams.

Behind both starters is safety Cody Davis, who has been with the Rams for three years now, and may struggle with making an impact on defense. While Davis has meant a lot to the Rams as a member of special teams, he’s failed to prove to the coaching staff that he is capable of being a starter. Davis has made some impressive plays in the preseason, but he lacks the athleticism needed to play the position.

Now that we’ve recognized one of the main issues concerning the Rams’ secondary, expect the 49ers to come out firing in the passing game Monday night. This matchup will be a good test for this young secondary when it comes to making a statement after losing veteran starters Janoris Jenkins and McLeod to free agency.