LA Rams rookie Floor and Ceiling: safety Jordan Fuller

The LA Rams added 9 new rookies at the 2020 NFL Draft. What is the floor/ceiling of their new rookie safety, Jordan Fuller?

With the 199th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the LA Rams selected 6-foot-2, 203-pound Jordan Fuller, safety, out of Ohio State University. By looking at his play, it’s simply a matter of determining those players in the NFL who resemble his style of play the most. Next, we can use that information to project to see what he can become. First, let’s look at his basic attributes. Then looking at we know we can use it to project a comp for both their floor and ceiling.

Fuller is the second defensive back selected in the draft by the Rams, but still, one who possesses a variety of versatile skillsets sought by the Rams for their defense. Of course, the first dimension to stand out is his height, which at 6-foot-2 places him automatically into the discussion to defense pass-receiving tight ends like San Francisco 49ers George Kittle.  The next attribute is his character, an extremely reliable player who was the captain for the team in both 2018 and 2019.

Basic Attributes

-Great in run support when running up from the secondary

-Lacks speed to be a pure roaming safety, but can be great in small spaces

-Like to try to make big hits

-Lucky, sometimes the ball finds his way to him on a tipped pass or something goes his way

-Great with the ball in his hands and can flip field position after a turnover

Ceiling-Kurt Coleman

Instantly while watching Fuller play another late-round pick from Ohio State came to mind in Kurt Coleman. Coleman also lacks the speed to be a roaming safety and was great in small spaces when he didn’t have to be playing sideline-to-sideline. A lot of tipped balls magically went his way and he had the potential to gain yards after the interception. Both players lacked ability but they somehow performed better than they should.

Floor-Daren Bates

While I’m not exactly comparing him to another safety, Daren Bates is a good comparison. Why Bates then you ask? Special teams are important to football too. Rams fans will remember before we had Cory Littleton, Bates was the go-to for special teams excellence. While Bates never became a starter on defense he still was a good depth position player, which at the very least Fuller should be.

Final Projection

Depending on how the Rams handle the John Johnson III contract situation Fuller could be the starting free safety as soon as next year. Of course, that affects Fuller’s ability to reach his ceiling if the Rams resign Johnson. However, he could see the field depending on if Johnson’s injury was just a one-time thing. I do believe he will be a quality Special teams player who will see the field. While I am not familiar with a Fangio style defense it is possible to envision him at free safety in a multiple tight-end set with both Johnson and Taylor Rapp manning them up.