3 teams that could sign LA Rams’ John Johnson III (for stacks of cash)

LA Rams John Johnson thinks and demolishes opponents

It requires the safety to possess a cerebral mind and to step onto the football field with his head in the game of football.  John Johnson fits the bill. Of all the defensive backs, it was Johnson who connected, both physically and mentally, with what former Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was trying to accomplish in coverage.

In part, the Ninja-like coverages were designed to counter the emergence of NFL offenses running more pick-plays from the line of coverage, plays that rely on wide receivers crisscrossing in order to tangle up would-be defenders and break free. (or at least achieve separation)

Johnson’s stat line, while impressive, does not tell the full tale of his value to the team. While he registered 105 total tackles, eight passes defended, and one interception in 16 games, and earned an 85.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, it’s his football intelligence that will be sorely missed.

In four seasons with the Rams, Johnson escalated from being a 2017 third-round draft pick to playing almost every down in every game since he made the roster to being entrusted as signal-caller for a top-tier NFL defense. And while he earned $2.1 million last year, according to overthecap.com, that figure is soon to escalate as well.