Looking into 7 remaining Rams free agents, what they may get, and from whom:
By Bret Stuter
![Les Snead, Los Angeles Rams Les Snead, Los Angeles Rams](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3720,h_2092,x_0,y_73/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/54/01hpxseg37bwcq75w8j9.jpg)
DB John Johnson III
John Johnson III is a fierce defensive back who has now played for in the Rams secondary for the second time in his career. He played his first four seasons for the Rams, then played two seasons for the Cleveland Browns, and has just completed a season with the Rams. At 6-foot-0 and 209 pounds, JJIII Is a big hard-hitting defensive back with superb coverage skills. He can also slide into the box for run support.
In 2023, he started eight games for the Rams, making 42 tackles, breaking up six passes, and picking off two interceptions. In terms of pure pass defense, he only allowed a 61.5 percent completion rate when his receiver was targeted, and only missed two tackles all season (4.3 percent missed tackles rate). He did allow two touchdowns, however.
The Rams signed DB Kamren Curl to the secondary. Is there enough interest and money to add John Johnson III as well?
Projected landing spots: Johnson knows the NFL West, and the Seattle Seahawks need a veteran DB. Perhaps a two-year deal for $4 million? If not, the Cincinnati Bengals may sign him to a one-year prove-it deal for $2 million.
DB Ahkello Witherspoon
6-foot-2 195-pound cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was one of the biggest surprises of the 2023 NFL season. He was a part-time starter for both the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers, but had to battle through injuries in both 2021 and 2022. When he signed a minimum one-year prove-it deal with the Rams in 2023, I envisioned him as a rotational contributor.
He ended up being a 17 game starter who put up 52 tackles, broke up 14 passes, and picked offf three interceptions. If not for an injury in the latter part of the season, he may have been one of the hottest names in the 2024 NFL Free Agency market. As it is, he only allowed 48.1 percent of passes to find their mark.
So why is he still available? I suspect that he is looking for that big payday, and that takes time. He is 28 years old, and this could be his one and only huge NFL contract.
Projected landing spots: He could make sense to rejoin former DC Raheem Morris with the Atlanta Falcons. He could also make sense for the LA Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, or even back with the Rams. I believe he will settle for no less than a two-year deal worth up to $19 million. But if he wants to return to the Rams, he needs to give the Rams a deep home-town discount.