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LA Rams: 5 wish-list items for the defense in 2022

By Johnnie Martinez II

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates after hitting Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) as he threw on fourth down forcing a turnover on downs with the less than a minute to play in 4th quarter during Super Bowl 56, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.Nfl Super Bowl 56 Los Angeles Rams Vs Cincinnati Bengals Feb 13 2022 Albert Cesare 2682
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates after hitting Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) as he threw on fourth down forcing a turnover on downs with the less than a minute to play in 4th quarter during Super Bowl 56, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.Nfl Super Bowl 56 Los Angeles Rams Vs Cincinnati Bengals Feb 13 2022 Albert Cesare 2682 /
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LA Rams Safety
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Item II: The safety position

In the same vein as the team needing a veteran signal-caller, the front office needs to decide the future of the safety position. According to the team’s website, the LA Rams have five safeties on the roster in 2022, while the team has Antoine Brooks Jr. who has experience as a hybrid linebacker safety. In fact, the Rams had cross-trained linebacker/safety Jake Gervase to play in that hybrid role as well.

Veteran safeties Eric Weddle, Nick Scott, and eventually back-from-NFL-concussion-protocol Taylor Rapp were the safeties to play on defense in Super Bowl LVI.  Weddle has already announced his re-retirement, while both Scott and Rapp are in the last season of their rookie contracts. The Rams will welcome back DB Jordan Fuller from IR next season, and his presence will certainly reinforce the defense for 2022.

Still, if the LA Rams are keeping one eye upon the Rams roster in 2022, and one eye upon the future, the safety position should definitely be on the team’s shopping list, either during or after the 2022 NFL Draft.

A logical line of thinking

It would also make some sense to consider adding a veteran safety to the roster. That could solve both offseason needs of adding depth to the roster as well as a mentor for younger defensive backs. The thing is, finances get a bit tricky when signing or trading for a veteran safety. The Rams historically do not spend much on the position, so the team would need to find a diamond-in-the-rough. Drafting another safety is an option, but the shopping list for the 2022 NFL Draft is already quite lengthy.

If the LA Rams believe that either Nick Scott or Taylor Rapp deserves an extension, this offseason would be the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for an extension to help secure one of the safety spots. Drafting or signing an undrafted rookie would then serve as an insurance policy or replacement for Fuller in case he suffers another injury

The LA Rams need to do act decisively this offseason

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