4 Rams who can play their way into larger roles for HC Sean McVay after Week 12

DB Ahkello Witherspoon

It's disappointing to say the least for fans (like myself) that truly believed that the Rams secondary would be one of the team's strengths in 2024. So far, that has not exactly panned out. Let's recap:

The Rams initially signed veteran cornerbacks Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White, and added veteran safety Kamren Curl in the offseason. The front office rounded out the off-season additions by drafting Miami rookie safety Kamren Kinchens. But early in training camp, the team lost veteran cornerback Darion Kendrick for the season, and lost Darious Williams for several months due to a persistent hamstring injury.

That prompted the team to reach out to re-sign former starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to the team. Once Witherspoon was aboard, the team traded veteran DB Tre'Davious White to the Baltimore Ravens for next to nothing. But in the aftermath, are the Rams any better off at the cornerback position? Until now, you could make the argument that the team is no better off. But hold that thought.

Witherspoon was a starter in Week 5 (a loss to the Green Bay Packers) and Week 9 (a win over the Seattle Seahawks). When not starting, he has gradually been folded into the secondary rotation. In Week 11, he played 44 defensive snaps. Even as his on-field production is below his career average, he is earning the trust of the coaching staff.

Witherspoon faced the Eagles in 2023, While the Rams lost the game 23-14, he started and played 70 defensive snaps. He undoubtedly is as familiar with the Eagles' offense as anyone on the Rams defense.

Witherspoon stands 6-foot-2, an ideal size to match up against Eagles WR A.J. Brown (6-foot-1) or TE Dallas Goedert (6-foot-5). With the front seven facing the supercharged rushing attack, the Rams secondary cannot count on the pass rush to force bad throws. Ahkello Witherspoon knows how to play good pass coverage. He puts that knowledge to the test in Week 12.