LA Rams safeties Rapp plus Johnson equals better 2020 defense

2020 Rams field strong defensive backfield

Even with Weddle on the field, the Rams secondary ranked eighth in the NFL by PFF for 2019. That’s significant in two way.

More from Rams Free Agency

• What if…? This LA Rams IOL shockingly opts for free agency?
• LA Rams should add ‘pass-rush specialist’ in free agency
• Should the LA Rams revisit bringing Odell Beckham Jr. back?
• Why the Los Angeles Rams should extend Baker Mayfield
• Baker Mayfield faces stiff QB competition in NFL Free Agency market

The Rams secondary suffered setbacks with injuries to cornerbacks Aquib Talib, Marcus Peters, and even Jalen Ramsey in 2019. Talib’s injury forced him to injured reserve. As a result, the team traded him and a pick to the Miami Dolphins to clear cap space. Peters was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in a similar move.  After freeing enough cap space, the Rams then traded with Jacksonville Jaguars for cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Far too many personnel changes for one defensive backfield in 2019. Yet, the Rams got better as the season passed.

In 2020, the Rams will boast even more talent in the defensive backfield.  Not only will Johnson and Rapp suit up, but the Rams should be able to benefit from an entire season of Jalen Ramsey.  Two Rams cornerbacks, Nickell Robey-Coleman and Troy Hill had very strong seasons, both finishing in PFF’s Top 25 Cornerbacks , coming in at 19 and 20 respectively.

Even if the Rams release Weddle outright, it makes sense from a salary cap perspective. The Rams are in a real battle to win the NFC West in 2020, and will need every available dollar to build the roster to do so.

Evidence suggests that the Rams could improve the defense significantly by opting to start Rapp and Johnson at the safety positions. They’ll have other places to park more dollars.  Saving millions by trading or releasing veteran safety Eric Weddle will help the team find those dollars immensely.