5 players who the Rams must re-sign after 2023

He's earned an extension

When the LA Rams traded away All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey, it was a safe bet that veteran DB Ahkello Witherspoon was not on their radar. Admittedly, he was never on my radar until the news broke of the LA Rams front office signing him to a one-year contract.

The guy has played lights out all season, and that fact is likely the reason why the Rams defense has outperformed even the most optimistic expectations this season. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, Witherspoon has filled the role that the Rams had hoped to fill with former defensive back Robert Rochell.

Rams hit the lottery

While he is not a shut-down cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon is exactly what the Rams secondary needs this season. He is a tall and skild defensive who is quite capable of frustrating the opposing quarterback and offensive coordinators. He has only allowed 22 completions of the 47 passes targeting his receiver, which translates into a completion rate of just 46.8 percent. With the exception of his 2021 NFL season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, that is his career best.

He has 25 tackles, two tackles for a loss, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Best of all, he is doing all of this on a contract that is paying him the NFL veteran minimum, which translates into $1,080,000.

It's nothing short of a minor miracle that the Rams sought some help in the secondary, and landed a player like Witherspoon who has played like he belongs in this secondary. That has not been the case, and certainly not since the Rams hired Raheem Morris as the team's new defensive coordinator.

While the well has not run dry in terms of restocking the Rams roster, the Rams front office cannot ignore the fact that Ahkello Witherspoon is an ideal defensive back for what the Rams are trying to do this season. That is not something that the Rams should take lightly, particularly if the team hopes to compete in the postseason in 2024.