LA Rams plans for CB position are vital for 2022 success

The LA Rams have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in defensive back Jalen Ramsey filling one of the cornerback positions. Curiously enough, filling the other cornerback positions proved to be a bit problematic in 2021.  That means that the LA Rams have potential concerns in 2022. The projected free agency departures of both veteran defensive back Darious Williams and veteran defensive back Donte Deayon complicate the situation even further.

The Rams’ backup defensive back David Long Jr. made a significant jump during the 2021 season. While he started out rather shaky, he improved enough to play a considerable amount of snaps during Super Bowl LVI. That progress could help to position him in line to continue developing, perhaps enough to play an even more prominent role in 2022. With the likely parting of ways with Darious Williams, however, Long Jr.’s role could significantly change.

The LA Rams will explore the chances of re-signing either or both Darious Williams and Donte Deayon in free agency. Resigning either is not automatic, unfortunately.  Negotiations for new contracts will be complex if they want high-dollar payouts. Darious Williams’s contract will be harder to find a way to fit, but both will likely get contract offers worth significantly more than they made with the LA Rams in 2021.  Many believe that Williams significantly regressed in his final year with the Rams.

Rams Free Agency challenges

Without Darious Williams and Donte Deayon, the LA Rams are left with a primary cornerback-rotation that will include Ramsey, Long Jr., and second-year defensive back Robert Rochell. Without added depth, promoting both Long Jr. and Rochell into the starting and primary nickel cornerback roles will be a massive test for the secondary.

Even if the top three can hold it together at cornerback, elevating Long Jr. and Rochell creates a depth issue for the LA Rams at the position. Beyond those three players, the Rams roster also has Blake Countess and Grant Haley on the active roster.  They have also augmented the roster by signing both Tyler Hall and Kareem Orr to Reserve/Future contracts.

That may set the LA Rams up for training camp, but there remains a perceived need to restock the position that now projects to lose four key starters from the secondary in just two years. The LA Rams will need to bring players in during the draft, sign undrafted rookies after the draft, or even cheap deals in free agency to provide depth or even to compete for a top-three spot.

After the NFL Scouting Combine, some legitimate late-round cornerbacks could help the LA Rams find depth or compete for Rochell’s, or even Long Jr.’s, spot on the depth chart. Given the potential uncertainty around the LA Rams’ other free agents limits the priority of drafting cornerback.

The LA Rams’ free agent losses could be offset by bringing in some veteran-minimum cornerbacks to help bolster the ranks at cornerback. The potential extensions of QB Matthew Stafford, DL Aaron Donald, DB Jalen Ramsey, and even WR Cooper Kupp could free up enough salary cap to fit a quality veteran on a one-year deal.

The LA Rams will need to add depth to their cornerback position. Let’s see how their off-season plan unfolds.