LA Rams DB Darious Williams playing for 2022 payday

|

The dynamic duo

Perhaps another reason for the unexpected anonymity for Darious Williams lies in the fact that he partners with the best in the business, All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey. But while Jalen Ramsey may strand opposing wide receivers on Ramsey Island, Ramsey is most effective when he has strong teammates who can match his effectiveness.

From what we witnessed in 2020, Williams is ideally suited for that role.

Williams is an ideal counterweight to Ramsey for several reasons. Ramsey is a large-bodied defensive back who can match the physicality of either tight ends or wide receivers. Williams, on the other hand, is more adept at timing the football’s trajectory and deflecting or intercepting the pass simply through calculation and anticipation. Oftentimes, it is the shorter Williams who outjumps the receiver to get a hand on the ball to turn it away.

That ability to play the ball in the air is ideally suited to partner with Ramsey. Ramsey’s presence on the field tends to send the air traffic elsewhere. Williams is best when he is playing against the football in the air.

And that ability to complement one another is why Williams was worth a first-round Qualifying Tender Offer. He is earning $4.766 million this season, which remains a deeply discounted amount from what his fair market value could be.