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

III: A way-under-the-radar 'other' Wolverine rookie DB worth tracking

While the LA Rams may not have drafted any true cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, that is not to say that the position was not addressed. Michigan Wolverines cornerback Josh Wallace is a rookie defensive back who stands 6-foot-0, weighs 189 pounds, and has plenty of gameday footage that gives plenty of reasons to believe that he can make his mark in the NFL.

So why did he fall out of the draft?

Wallace was an effective defensive back who simply fell into bad habits that won't work in the NFL. He faced some of the best college receivers, which forced him to make plays against superior college talent. Along the way, he became a bit too grabby, and some draft profiles question his ability to shadow swift receivers on deep routes.

While raw in technique, he makes and sustains a true football presence in the secondary. And he does so by making sound plays:

Why he could move into a major role in secondary

Nobody expects rookies to arrive in some version of plug-and-play, and the LA Rams coaching staff are too too good to fall into that trap. What they need is a passionate football player who is passionate about the game, willing to be coached, eager to put in the work, and shows progress. Josh Wallace checks all of those boxes.

But what make Wallace so intriguing right now for the Rams is the fact that he is an ideal size and mindset to excel in the NFL. While he is raw, he can be coached into the right techique. What cannot be coached is size and mindset, and he comes with both already installed.

Why he may miss the mark of major role in secondary

While he did play a season at Michigan, he played four seasons with Massachusetts, When he pivoted to Michigan, he did show a bit of regression against more formidable opponents. He dropped in the number of tackles, pass break ups, and failed to generate a singing interception for the the Wolverines.

Wallace checks all of the boxes as a player who can do the job. But can he fast track that potential to present-day production? It may be now or not for a long time.

Conclusion

Despite the perception that he ran a bit on the raw side, it's clear that rookie CB Josh Wallace has impressed the coaching staff by being named by HC Sean McVay early in training camp as a prospect who could step up into a significant role in 2024. If getting noticed by the coaching staff is half of the battle, then Josh Wallace is halfway there.