Fast 40+ Rams roster rookie roundup: Timarcus Davis (#37)

When the LA Rams made the decision to trade away All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey, it was more about the finances than the production. The Rams acquiesced to the fact that the 2022 NFL season record of 5-12 was just the tip of the iceberg. The long standing 'let it ride,' high stakes gamble of the Rams organization to win today with the help of tomorrow's dollars crapped out, and the Rams must now pay off those debts, while building a new bank and stake of assets to go back at it once more.

The Rams secondary will not, can not, replicate the quality of defensive play provided by Ramsey. So the team is taking a quantitative approach to solving their secondary riddle. This team still has open slots on the 90-man roster, but the coaching staff are sorting through 18 defensive backs, all of whom are vying for a spot on the team's 53-man roster. !8 players competing for 10 slots is fierce competition.

A quick summary

The LA Rams clearly searched high and low for rookie defensive backs, and they had to kick over a couple of rocks to find former Arizona State University defensive back Timarcus Davis. Davis is a young defensive back who has the potential to develop into an NFL caliber asset for the Rams secondary, but he will need to beat the odds to do so.

What I don't like about this addition

Timarcus Davis, deserved or undeserved, was overlooked through much of the NFL Draft process He did not attend the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, and I find no record of his competing in either the Senior Bowl or Shrine Bowl. He is not the only NFL rookie who has been overlooked, but the Rams have a small army of rookies, and Davis will need to do a great deal rather quickly to separate himself from his teammates if he has any hope of making the team, even on the practice squad.

What I like about this addition

Timarcus Davis looks the part. He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 180 pounds. While he was not always a starter, his five college seasons resulted in appearing in 41 games, recording 95 tackles, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He caught the eye of Arizona State University Head Coach Herman Edwards, who was himself a noteworthy NFL defensive back in his playing days.

What I love about this addition

So far, I may have left many readers with the impression that I am quite down on Timarcus Davis. That is not the case, as Davis is a bit of an underdog on the Rams roster, and that automatically gets a nod of approval. But when I researched Davis, I found this quote that really harmonized with what I expect from the LA Rams secondary this season:

“You just think that every play the ball is coming your way,”

“It makes you kind of gear up more. It’s a mentality that you gotta win. Every play is competitive when you’re on the island. I just focus on my technique and let that take me where I need to go. The way I see it, we set the pace, We read and react, (and) assess the situation. We don’t let them dictate the pace.” - Timarcus Davis as quoted by Cole Topham, staff writer for Arizona State Rivals.com

Attacking the offense, dictating the pace. That is the basic secondary philosophy of both Coach Aubrey Pleasant and Assistant Head Coach Jimmy Lake. With his understanding of that philosophy, before he arrived in place, he has a shot of making this team.

Projection: He could earn a spot on the practice squad