It's only taken 3 phases of OTAs for Rams to raise expectations for this player

The question many NFL fans ask about the Los Angeles Rams this offseason has to do with whether the NFL Playoffs version of the defense was real or imaginary. While there is no denying that the team's run defense is suspect, the Rams' pass defense showed up in a way to make jaws drop around the NFL.

The team's pass rush needed just two postseason games to record 16 quarterback sacks. If this team could attain and sustain that same rate of bringing down opposing quarterbacks for a full 17-game regular season, it would end the year with 136 quarterback sacks. The Denver Broncos led all teams in 2024 with 63 quarterback sacks. That's less than half of what the Rams' postseason rate would generate.

Likewise, the Rams' defense allowed just 228 net passing yards over two games, which works out to just 114 net passing yards per game. Of course, the Rams allowed 245 gross passing yards to the Minnesota Vikings and 128 gross passing yards to the Philadelphia Eagles. But after subtracting the 82 and 63 yards lost from those 16 sacks, the net passing yards over those two games was a pedestrian 228 net passing yards.

The Rams have invested in the safety position recently. As recently as 2024, the team signed veteran Kamren Curl, drafted rookie Kamren Kinchens, and then signed rookie Jaylen McCollough after the draft. The team attempted to bolster the cornerback position by signing veterans Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White, but soon traded White when it was clear that he was unable to compete as a starter.

The Rams turned back to former starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, whose return seemed to stabilize the secondary somewhat. But even with the team extending Witherspoon, the cornerback room remains stocked with Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, AJ Green, Shaun Jolly, Cam Lampkin, Josh Wallace, Charles Woods.

And, of course, Emmanuel Forbes.

But of the group, do any threaten to be bestowed Pro Bowl honors this season? If you say no, then you already understand why the Rams have been rumored to trade with the Miami Dolphins for veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey. But, will they?