Rams Roster: Fast 40+ LA Rams roster roundup CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (#9)
By Bret Stuter
With the arrival of the 2023 NFL season, perhaps no area was impacted more on the LA Rams roster than the secondary. Almost immediately after the 2022 NFL season was over, NFL rumors began to cite the LA Rams interest in trading away long time All-Pro DB Jalen Ramsey. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
In terms of exodus, the entire starting secondary for the LA Rams is gone. Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins. DB Troy Hill remains unsigned as a free agent. DB David Long Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Safety Taylor Rapp is competing with the Buffalo Bills this year. Safety Nick Scott has signed on with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In terms or returning talent, the Rams have a handful of players who have experience in NFL pass defense, but the roster remains wide open to rookies who stand out.
A quick summary
The Rams clearly needed to replenish the Rams roster during the 2023 NFL Draft. But the shopping list was long, even too long for 14 selections. The Rams did find one defensive back who fell all the way to Round 6 who, in the eyes of many, was projected as high as a Day 2 rookie selection. Of course, I'm talking about TCU outstanding cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, or more frequently referred to as Tre Tomlinson.
While there is almost no way that the Rams could have knowns that Tre Tomlinson was going to remain on the board until they were able to select him, the fact that he was there truly turned the Rams rookie draft class from an 'Ahhhh. . . " to a "Whoa! This is incredilble . . ."
The Rams may have selected just one defensive back in the 2023 NBA Draft, but I don't think that the Rams front office could have done a better job of landing a more talented player at a position that translates into such high value for the team. Seriously. A great find at an incredible spot. But, there are some challenges to Tre Tomlinson's NFL potential, so let's address those right out of the gate: