LA Rams Day 8 NFL Scouting Combine Summary – Rams’ safety dance

The LA Rams scouted the final group and the NFL Scouting Combine, cornerbacks and safeties. Here is the summary of the defensive backs performance

The LA Rams may not be in a position of need at the defensive back position. That should not prevent them from selecting one in the 2020 NFL Draft, particularly if a highly regarded player drops far below where the team has him graded. In fact, that same rule of “best player available” should apply throughout the entire draft.  When a team can select the best talent from the draft, ultimately the overall talent level on the team rises.

Unfortunately, NFL scouting departments make mistakes, and position coaches weigh in quite frequently to direct the aim of the scouts towards positions of need. So while the team may have a cornerback on their board at a higher rating, if it’s close, you can expect the team to weigh roster needs to add depth to the team at the appropriate positions.

So the LA Rams enter the 2020 NFL Draft with an eye on the safety position, but likely not as focused upon 2020 cornerbacks. Still, if the right player falls to the LA Rams, all bets are off.  After all, the team still has to find a way to pay for a contract to keep both Jalen Ramsey and John Johnson in 2021.  And veteran safety Eric Weddle retired. So anything is likely to happen in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Defensive back winners

One player who certainly had a “field day” at the NFL 2020 Scouting Combine (pun intended) was Clemson cornerback/safety, K’Von Wallace. At just 5-foot-11 and up to 206-pounds, he will likely project to the NFL as either a safety or slot cornerback. However, with the demonstration of athleticism, he could be coached into the DB/LB role so many teams are eager to employ in new NFL defenses.  In that role, he would be asked to bulk up an additional 15 pounds or so, and slide into a linebacker role for pass coverage, and back to the safety position on running downs.

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Another solid winner was Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson, who has day one round one selection written all over him. a 6-foot-1 204-pound cornerback who generated a lot of NFL Draft buzz before the combine. After timing at under a 4.4 40-yard dash, his stock is rising rapidly.  Larry Brake identified Henderson as a solid target for the Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft if he falls to round two. While that may not happen, it’s always better to be prepared if it does.

A third winner was Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn.  A small school product, he’s projected as a day three selection.  Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 221-pounds, Chinn is another versatile player who can play safety but slide in as a slot corner as well as push for the linebacker role in dime and nickel packages.  Chinn could certainly be a target for the Rams on day three, where the Rams pick twice in round four, and once in both rounds six and seven. He displayed an amazing ability to jump, giving his 6-foot-3 height the extra distance to cover even the tallest receivers.

Defensive back losers

Florida State cornerback Stanford Samuels is a 6-foot-1 187-pound defensive back who hoped to solidify a day two selection in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, a slower than expect 40-yard dash time may have dropped his stock into a late selection on day 3. He is the right height for the position but could add some muscle to his frame to prove durability in the NFL. Falling stock may not be a disaster in this draft, however, as he will likely land on a roster where he will have time to develop, including that of the LA Rams.

Iowa safety Geno Stone stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 207 pounds.  While he was expected at that height, his wingspan came in at a less-than-expected 71 inches.  That shorter reach combined with shorter height will pull him off some teams’ big boards.  And to that, his jumps came in less than expected as well.  Stone had been getting some press as an undervalued candidate prior to the NFL Scouting Combine, but those reports have not continued after the Combine.  A projected day three safety, Stone plays larger than his Combine results would suggest.  If he is there in round six or seven, the LA Rams could easily be happy to call his name.