DC Chris Shula's safety skullduggery is Step 1 to a revitalized Rams secondary

Retooling Rams safeties proved challenging

In 2022, the Rams defense opted to start both safety Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott. That decision was a bit confusing, as neither Rapp nor Scott were particularly as effective in pass coverage as Jordan Fuller. The proof was in the pudding, as both Rapp and Scott allowed four touchdown passes in 2022 respectively. Rapp improved slightly in pass coverage, allowing just 71.7 percent of passes thrown his way to find their mark. Scott allowed an even more horrendous 79.3 percent of passes thrown his way to find their mark.

On a positive note, Rapp missed just 6.1 percent of his tackles while breaking up while Scott missed 10.4 percent of his tackles while breaking up five pass plays. But much like the challenge of lining up linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder side-by-side in the Rams defense in 2024, Rapp and Scott's skills were nearly identical. That amplified their weaknesses at coverage, and opposing offense exploited those weaknesses.

After 2022, Taylor Rapp signed on with the Buffalo Bills while Nick Scott signed on with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Rams reverted to Jordan Fuller and combined him with rookie safety Russ Yeast. Pass defense immediately improved, as Yeast allowed just 68.3 percent of his targets to be completed. He also held the line to just two touchdowns. Fuller allowed just 63 percent of passes to find their targets and allowed just three touchdowns. The pair combined for 13 pass breakups, and Fuller even added three interceptions.

The team also welcomed back veteran John Johnson III, who chimed in with eight starts, six pass breakups, and two interceptions, while allowing a completion rate of just 61.5 percent with two touchdowns.

While the team finally got impressive performances from safeties once more, it was not something that would last. The Rams allowed Jordan Fuller to sign with the Carolina Panthers after his rookie contract expired. Once again, the Rams defense was left with the question: Who will step up or be added to this defense to play center field in the secondary?