Rams secondary is primary focus of 2024 offseason spending spree

When the LA Rams visited the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs, the offense was able to move the football at will. The Rams put up nearly 100 more yards of offense against the Detroit Lions. And believe it or not, the Rams pass rush was able to get past the incredibly talented offensive line and bring Lions QB Jared Goff to the ground three times for a net loss of 22 yards.

On the day, Stafford was only sacked twice for a loss of 10 yards.

So where did the Rams fall short? Well, the Rams secondary allowed Goff to complete 22 of 27 passes for 255 yards. That is a completion rate of better than 80 pecent. And the Lions offense scored on all three red zone appearances, going three for three. The LA Rams offense sputtered, and could not score a single touchdown, despite three appearance.

The game was ultimately decided by one point, 24-23.

If the NFL Playoffs is the punch list of where the Rams front office needed to focus, then it is safe to assume that the team has prioritized their redzone offense as well as their secondary in the offseason. I believe that the offense has sought ways to get better in the red zone by meeting with 6-foot-3 rookie wide receiver prospect Rome Odunze, with rumors that the team was very interest in signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-foot-5 veteran WR Mike Evans, and with the addition of 6-foot-7 tight end Colby Parkinson.

All three offensive weapons will help the offense put up points as they near the goal line.

Rams primary focus aimed at secondary

After the team shored up the offensive line, it's clear that the team's primary focus this offseason has been to upgrade the secondary. The Rams have parted ways with 6-foot-2 DB Jordan Fuller, and appear to be willing to part ways with 6-foot-0 veteran DB John Johnson III and 6-foot-2 DB Ahkello Witherspoon as well.

In their place, the team has restocked nearly the entire secondary for the 2024 NFL season. So who is coming to the aid of new Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula this year? The team wasted no time in reuniting with former DB Darious Williams. The front office followed that up by signing one of the hottest safeties in the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, Kamren Curl. Finally, the team is playing the odds by betting on former All-Pro DB Tre'Davious White. One of the Rams team physicians is the doctor who was the primary caregiver for White's surgery and rehab.

Well, one is a familiar face, but all three are among the most productive defensive backs available in the 2024 free agency market. They are:

* Tre'Davious White's numbers are based on playing just four games in 2023

The success of any defensive secondary is not based on individual talent alone, but is ultimate dependant upon how all the defensive backs work together. Much like an offensive line, an elite NFL secondary needs a blend of pass coverage, hard hitting enforcers, and crack fillers who can fill all responsibilites well enough to capitalize on quarterbacks' mistakes. The group need to possess, coordinator, cohesion, comradery, and communication.

That is a tall order for defensive backs who have never competed together.

Even Darious Williams, who has played for both Chris Shula and DB Coach Aubrey Pleasant, will need to reintroduce himself to his new teammates. But the front office is gambling that they will be able to get up to speed in one season's worth of OTA and trading camp sessions.

I don't believe that the team is out of adding more talent to the roster in the 2024 NFL Draft. But this team can pencil in starters to open the season right now. And the draft will simply be a source of depth and competition for this roster.

If you are not excited yet, you should be soon.