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

Falcons safety

A third free agent to take a discerning look at is safety Keanu Neal from the Atlanta Falcons. Neal is a nice-sized thumper at safety, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 216-pounds. He has played five seasons with the Falcons and started 48 of the 49 games he’s played in.

Neal was originally selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, at 17th overall. While he has flashed significant upside, his injury history has limited his play in two of the past three seasons. So much so that the Atlanta Falcons may look elsewhere to rebuild a more durable defense.

Neal could be a steal for the LA Rams in free agency. He is a bit younger, certainly has all of the potentials for a first-round prospect, but simply ran aground with a less-than-optimal situation with the Atlanta Falcons. He may not be as pronounced at pass defense, but he certainly leaves a solid impression when he takes the field. In 48 starts, he has racked up 338 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. He allows just 71 percent of the passes aimed his way to find their target.

Oh, and he comes from Raheem Morris’s former team, so there will be no guesswork when scouting his potential fit for the Rams. In fact, he could be an ideal addition as he would be a veteran ‘tour guide’ to Morris’ defense, similar to the way OLB Leonard Floyd helped the Rams install Brandon Staley’s defense.

Neal is listed among Bleacher Report’s 10 Best 25-and-under class, and I must say that I agree with Neal’s presence on the list. Like the wave of new coaches, Neal turns the loss of John Johnson III into a stellar opportunity to get a jumpstart on installing Raheem Morris’ defense. And with an estimated cost of no greater than $5 million, the Rams could opt for a one-and-done contract to get them over the hump of a new defense install without a long-term financial commitment.