Rams 1st unofficial depth chart holds unexpected surprises worth discussing

Cornerback

Starters: Darious Williams, Tre'Davious White, Cobie Durant

Backups: Jerry Jacobs, Tre Tomlinson

Next in line: Cameron McCutcheon, Josh Wallace, Cam Lampkin

Injured: Derion Kendrick (ACL on IR)

Despite NFL analysts shying away from the Rams secondary, I am apparently much higher than generic analysts. In my view, the teams has gotten deeper (even in spite of the Derion Kendrick injury), the teams free agent additions appear to be exceeding expectations, and the infusion of veterans has even elevated the play of returning young cornerbacks like Cobie Durant and Tre Tomlinson.

Pass coverage in the NFL is no easy task. But the team's strategy for 2024 is not simply reliant upon getting better coverage, but in shortening the time quarterbacks have to find an open receiver. And then, as if the strategy was not solid enough, the team focused on adding ball-hawking defensive backs to create turnovers and make quarterbacks pay for errant throws.

I believe that the Rams are on the right track.

While the Rams must play 17 games, they certain seem to have highlighted what they know about Detroit Lions starting QB Jared Goff and designed a defense that will give him a far stingier effort this season. Goff does not play well when defenses can apply pressure. And he is susceptible to interceptions if the play starts to break down.

I like the depth chart at cornerback as it stands.

Nickle Cornerback

Starter: Quentin Lake

Backup: Russ Yeast

Next in line: Charles Woods

The Rams love DB Quentin Lake, and rightfully so. He is an NFL legacy, son of former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler Carnell Lake, and has leveraged that family heritage to become one of the best defensive backs on this team. And his role as the nickel, slot, star, or whatever else the team names this role, the results are the same: Quentin Lake is counted on to show up big on every play.

The Rams display a 4-2-5 in their depth chart, but the team could just as easily put up a 3-3-5 by pulling out ILB Christian Rozeboom and inserting a defensive end into the line of scrimmage. In either case, this nickel cornerback role will remain the same: Defend the pass.

While both Quentin Lake and Russ Yeast arrived to the team as safeties, they are shown in a more demanding and versatile role. Should Lake be injured, I would not be surprised to see a cornerback be added to this spot.