The LA Rams surprise fans with this position depth in 53-man roster prediction

Cornerback (5)

Starters: Darious Williams, Tre'Davious White

Backups: Jerry Jacobs, Josh Wallace, Cobie Durant. Cameron McCutcheon

Practice squad (1): Cam Lampkin

Released: Jerry Jacobs (Rel./IR Designation), Tre'Vius Tomlinson

Injured: Derion Kendrick (ACL on IR)

While the Rams continue to hope for a healthy return to the football field by Darious Williams, the team has been getting quality reps from other players. Cobie Durant and newly added Jerry Jacobs are two players who seem to have benefited a great deal from the added work. The thing is, has this core group in the secondary had enough time playing together to have sealed quality communication? We will soon see.

If the starters pan out as hoped, this group will spearhead one of the most effective and dangerous secondaries in the NFL. Unlike the bend-don't-break styles of play that kept everything in front of them, at the expense of allowing almost automatic completions to patient quarterbacks and offensive coordinators, this secondary has the feel of challenging any and all receivers running routes from the moment that they leave the line of scrimmage.

Will durability be an issue? That is why I expect two players to be re-signed to the practice squad.

Nickle Cornerback (2)

Starter: Quentin Lake

Backup: Russ Yeast

Released: Charles Woods

The Rams have so many talented safeties, that the team had to find new and diverse roles to deploy their surplus talent. But do not let the title fool you. DB Quentin Lake could be the best pass coverage defensive back on this roster. He is called the nickel cornerback here, but you could just as easily call him the star cornerback, the joker cornerback, of whatever other title you feel comfortable in designating the guy who has an opportunity to change up his coverage tactics and who he is ultimately responsible for covering.

Unlike past seasons in which offenses dictated coverages and were able to isolate OLB Michael Hoecht against a star wide receiver, the Rams appear to have a viable counter-punch to that tactic.

I am looking forward to seeing how this defense looks in live action. With Lake in a defined role that amplifies his skill set, this could prove to be a fantastic innovation for 2024.

Safety (4)

Starters: Kamren Curl, John Johnson III

Backups: Kamren Kinchens, Jason Taylor II

Likely practice squad (2): Jaylen McCullough, Tanner Ingle

The LA Rams' safety position is as strong and as deep as ever. Despite losing former starter Jordan Fuller to free agency, this group is loaded with players who have true game-impacting abilities. And even though the physicality of the safety position has improved dramatically, it has not come at the expense of pass coverage. In many ways, that seems to have improved as well.

Defensive backs have many roles to fill on this team, and covering center field on deep pass routes is just the tip of the iceberg. They can crowd the box for run support, They will flip from zone to man to press man coverages. They will even fill out special team roles on returns and coverage teams. This is a very talented group. I woudl not be surprised to learn that at least one player on the team is honored by a Pro Bowl nomination.