What roles can 10 remaining UDFAs fill with LA Rams in 2021?

Defensive back

The LA Rams had a theme for signing rookies for their secondary and loved to find the players who have solid backgrounds at both the cornerback and safety positions. One of those hybrid cornerback/safety types was Juju Hughes, a young man out of Fresno State who certainly made quite the impression on the Rams coaching staff.

Hughes was one of the rookies on the team who eventually made the 53-man roster, quite a feat for an undrafted rookie in the chaotic 2020 season. He did see playing time and actually saw action in 12 games. Of course, his defensive presence was limited to six snaps, while he saw plenty of action on special teams.

While he may not have sailed to the Pro Bowl as a defensive back, he did get post-season experience. He recorded a tackle in the playoff victory against the Seattle Seahawks. That’s not bad for an undrafted rookie in 2020. In fact, that alone proves just how confident the LA Rams have grown in his ability to perform.

The LA Rams will lose John Johnson III to free agency this year. While the competition for his spot on defense will come down to either Taylor Rapp or Terrell Burgess, the Rams will still need players to step up for a share of the defensive snaps. Hughes, despite being undrafted, already has earned the right to compete for those snaps in 2021.  He is a gutsy defender who will launch at the quarterback as a blitzing defender, or roll into either press-man or zone pass defense. He is likely one of the reasons that the Rams have the courage to face 2021 without John Johnson III.