5 players who need to play large role in LA Rams success this season

IV: DB Tre'Davious White

Veteran defensive back Tre'Davious White is about to play his eighth NFL season. But this is most certainly a new chapter for the veteran cornerback. For starters, he suffered an Achilles Tendon injury in Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season against the Miami Dolphins, and this is his first opportunity to compete in the NFL following that injury. And the other matter that makes this a brand new chapter for the former All-Pro cornerback is the fact that he is no longer playing for the Buffalo Bills.

The Achilles Tendon injury is poorly timed for White, who suffered a devastating ACL injury in a 2021 Thanksgiving Day game as well. Two major injuries for a star cornerback simply tested the patience and resolve of the Buffalo Bills to the breaking point, prompting them to sever ties with their secondary star.

But before you question the Rams front office's logic to sign a veteran defensive back who is facing such huge question marks over his chances of returning to All-Pro form, White was hotly pursued throughout his free agency, and ultimately chose the Rams as the team he would most likely appreciate competing for in 2024.

Now the question becomes: How well can Tre'Davious White compete in 2024?

Well, the team wisely wrote in a number of incentives for White for the 2024 NFL season. Per his Over the Cap.com contract description:

"TreDavious White signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Rams. $3.25 million is guaranteed including a $1.75 million signing bonus. There are up to $1 million in per-game bonuses. The contract value increases to $8.5 million if White plays in 60% of the Rams defensive snaps in 2024. The contract carries a maximum contract value of $10 million."

- OTC.com

While the team in on the hook for White in 2024, White himself is incentivized to the hilt to show up and perform well this season.

While White has played in just 10 games over the past two seasons, and just 490 defensive snaps, he has not been a liability in pass coverage even when hobbled by injuries. In the past two seasons (his career worst), he has 32 tackles, one tackle for a loss, two interceptions, one quarterback hit, eight passes broken up, and has allowed just 52.8 percent of passes thrown to his receiver to find their mark.

And yes, those are numbers from the worst period of his NFL career.

Like many new defensive backs added to this Rams secondary, the 5-foot-11 192-pound cornerback is a ball-hawking style defensive back who is always threatening to pick off a pass and take it the other way. He is a three-time All-Pro who not only understands his role, but has mastered the cat and mouse game of pass coverage strategy. Even if he does not achieve his All-Pro form, do not underestimate the impact of embedding such an accomplished veteran amidst such a young secondary.