3 Free Agent alternatives if LA Rams fail to re-sign JJ III

Lions safety

Another free agent to bring in for an audition is from another besieged team from the 2020 NFL season. Safety Duron Harmon from the Detroit Lions has the type of career that is not readily available at an affordable price in the NFL Free Agency market.

Right now, the expectation is that big names like Denver Broncos’ Kareem Jackson, Cleveland Browns’ Karl Joseph, and the LA Rams’ very own John Johnson III will attract so much of the free agency focus, that Harmon could fall through the cracks. Right to the LA Rams.

Harmon spent seven seasons with the New England Patriots in a special teams/nickel package rotational role and did so very well. In 2020, he signed on with the Detroit Lions and started every game for the Lions. As a Lion, he racked up 73 tackles and two interceptions.

In fact, over eight NFL seasons, Harmon has averaged over two interceptions per season. That is no surprise, particularly since he is another outstanding pass defender, allowing just over 60 percent of the passes thrown his way to find their target.

Harmon was signed to the Lions for the tidy sum of $4.25 million for 2020. The Rams could negotiate that to under $3 million on a one-year deal if they have no other teams bidding. Harmon is a solid ‘get’, and he is extremely versatile as well.  Even in a rotational role that includes both special teams and some defensive snaps, Harmon could make a huge difference for the Rams. And he is familiar with competing against the NFC North, teams that the Rams will face in 2021