Early injuries paves way for 5 Rams to make a statement at training camp

V: Rams giving young ex-Lions free agent a shot

Rams rumors heated up instantly over the likelihood of the team shopping in the NFL Free Agency market to reinforce the suddenly depleted roster at cornerback. As we offered our five options, the team had plans of its own and opted to sign former Detroit Lions CB Jerry Jacobs. Jacobs was a Restricted Free Agent whom the Lions opted not to extend a Qualifying Tender Offer to retain.

He clearly comes with familiarity with DB Coach Aubrey Pleasants system, has plenty of work and starts, and is available at the right price. But he is not a sure-fire addition. Let me explain.

Why he could move into a major role in secondary

If you look over Jerry Jacobs's 2023 season performance on a game-by-game review, you will find that Jacobs put up some very impressive games early in 2023. In fact, in the first six games of the season, he put up 31 tackles, three interceptions, broke up five passes, and had one tackle for a loss. But he was an episodic player and was destined for IR for the last four games of the season with a thigh/knee injury.

While great games do not a great season make, the Rams must be confident that Jacobs' backslide in 2023 was due to nagging injuries. The fact that he was inactive against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. Despite the injury, he was never designated to IR. That has to be factored into his struggles late in the season.

Why he may miss the mark of major role in secondary

Jerry Jacobs is arriving late to a new team. While he is familiar with DB Coach Aubrey Pleasant, the truth is that he struggled for the Lions in 2023. How badly? Well, that depends on when and where you look:

However else you want to be skeptical or not over his 2023 numbers, one thing stands out rather ominously. Jacobs is responsible for surrendering six touchdowns in 2023. In previous seasons, he had never allowed more than one TD. That's a huge uh-oh, and likely one of the reasons why the Lions did not extend him.

Conclusion

If you are satisfied with a camp body cornerback, then Jerry Jacobs is far better than you many have expected. If you were looking for the team to sign a veteran DB who could put up Pro Bowl numbers, then you are definitely disappointed. Jerry Jacobs has the type of flash of roster brilliance that could warrant not on a spot on this team's 53-man roster, but secure a rotational role in 2024.

But the team will need to see concrete evidence that he deserves that role. And that is what training camp is ultimately about, after all.