5 underrated moves the LA Rams made in 2022 offseason

I: Trading for veteran DB Troy Hill

The LA Rams, upon entering the 2022 off-season, needed to address the secondary in a huge way. Losing veteran Darious Williams to free agency, though expected, placed the Rams roster in a huge pinch. The team simply did not have the trade picks to select a plug-and-play starting defensive back from the 2022 NFL Draft, and the remaining players were still either too raw or not suited to start as an outside cornerback.

The Rams needed a starting-caliber defensive back, who was strong in zone coverage, familiar with the LA Rams coaching staff, players, and defensive scheme, and would be able to play for next to nothing.

That is a huge ask.

And yet, the LA Rams front office somehow made it happen. And the move was so simple, it was absolutely inspiring. The Rams traded a future fifth-round pick to reacquire their former starting defensive back. And Troy Hill is bothered that the Browns traded him for so little:

"“I feel disrespected. Definitely motivated to come out and show what I can do. Definitely plan to come out and play with a chip on my shoulder, for sure. When I was in Cleveland, I always found myself trying to compare things to how it was done over here in L.A.,” Hill said. “I don’t know if it was me just trying to compare as far as this is what a winning program or if was just missing everything that was happening over here.” – Troy Hill per Sport’s Illustrated Brandon Little"

A little extra motivation never hurt anyone.

Hill is quite familiar with teammate Jalen Ramsey. While he only has one season remaining on his current contract, that is ideal for the LA Rams. The plan is to bridge the secondary this year by starting Hill and allowing younger defensive backs like Robert Rochelle to grow into that role. When Hill’s contract expires, the Rams should be in an ideal position to manage his role with the players on next year’s roster.