Jalen Ramsey’s presence ensures elite LA Rams secondary

The LA Rams have two All-Pro defenders on the roster. Of course, almost everyone understands the value and impact of defensive lineman Aaron Donald. His impact on his teammates is so strong and noticeable, that we have seen the term ‘Aaron Donald effect’ coined to describe the surge of production to players who join him at the defensive front.

But what of defensive back Jalen Ramsey? Quarterbacks won’t throw at Ramsey, and so the other defensive backs get targetted far more often. How can that possibly help? That’s a very good question.

The answer lies in the cat-and-mouse game that takes place with every offensive snap. The offense is trying to move the ball where the defense isn’t. And the defense is trying to bait the offense into placing the ball where the defense is. Why mention that? If the defense has a good guess where the ball is going, the odds improve dramatically in their favor.

LA Rams Jalen Ramsey factor

Even in an open backfield, offenses are limited to five receivers. They must have five offensive linemen and a quarterback. Defenses are not limited and can have three safeties and three cornerbacks on the field simultaneously.  That means that the Rams can outnumber receivers on any given play. Now, the question is, who do they double up?

Well, the Rams are confident that Jalen Ramsey’s receiver will be blanketed. So they can roll their coverages elsewhere. The result? The LA Rams defense ended the season with 14 interceptions, good enough for 12th-best in the NFL. That is even more impressive when you consider the fact that the LA Rams’ interception leader was DB Darious Williams with four interceptions. Oh, by the way, he played opposite Jalen Ramsey. For that matter, so did DB Troy Hill.

Both defensive backs, if not re-signed, are expecting to be highly sought-after players in the NFL Free Agency market. Sounds familiar? It should because that is the same reception that awaits edge rushers who test free agency after their stats balloon after a year of playing next to Aaron Donald. Are the LA Rams defensive backs any different?

Now please don’t misunderstand me. The LA Rams secondary was good before the arrival of Jalen Ramsey. He just makes them, better. Now they can focus more defensive players on fewer receivers. Much like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey forces the offense to go elsewhere. Regardless of who his teammates are back there, the Rams secondary will be waiting when that happens.