Why was DB Darious Williams a must-sign for the LA Rams secondary?

When the LA Rams announced reaching an agreement to reunite with former defensive back Darious Williams, I admittedly was thrilled with the news. Williams, while a bit undersized compared to his peers, casts a huge shadow in an NFL secondary. Williams has mastered his role, not by outmuscling his prey like a mountain lion, but rather by speeding and leaping after the football like a cheetah on the tundra.

Cheetahs always seem to get their prey.

As soon as newly hired Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula was promoted into the role, he had to pivot instantly from getting the job to performing the job. And one of the first players he turned to was reuniting with former defensive back Darious Williams. Williams had starred in the Rams defense when paired up with former All-Pro DB Jalen Ramsey, so well that picked off four passes in 2020. But the following year, his tackles went up while his interceptions fell to zero.

He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.

Williams stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 187 pounds. Some have used his size in an attempt to minimize his excellence at pass coverage. But he continues to put up solid numbers, great pass coverage, and has an uncanny knack of picking the pockets of opposing quarterbacks.

Right now, that is exactly what Shula needs in his defense.

Shula never had the opportunity to coach Williams directly. When he was moved to defensive backs coach, Williams had already signed on elsewhere. So in some ways, this gives new DC Chris Shula to deploy Williams to his schemes, in his vision of the defensive backfield. But there is more to it than just a long overdue homecoming.