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

Better yet, at a bargain price to boot

Would you believe the Rams signed DWill to the same contractual terms as that of tight end Colby Parkinson? Yes, that Colby Parkinson who was a depth chart player for the Seattle Seahawks for four seasons, and who signed with the Rams in the hopes of earning the right to start for the offense in the future. That works out to a three-year contract valued at $22.5 million. That is a steal.

CBS Sports NFL analyst Cody Benjamin certainly agrees. He listed 10 potential steals from the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, and the Rams' ability to ink Williams to a team-friendly deal is smack-dab in the middle of that list.

"“Big money? Not anymore, at this position. Williams is returning to Los Angeles on a deal that doesn’t even crack the list of top 20 earners at corner, yet he’s fresh off a ball-magnet season for the Jaguars in which he logged four picks and a career-high 19 pass breakups. Cornerback is notoriously volatile, and going on 31, a drop-off is possible. But the resurgent Rams suddenly look a lot better in the secondary once again"

- CBS Sports NFL analyst Cody Benjamin

10th-ranked defensive back Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills is slated to earn $8.5 million in 2024. 12th-ranked defensive back L'Jarius Sneed of the Tennessee Titans is due to earn nearly $10 million in 2024. LA Rams defensive back Darious Williams is slated to earn under $4.7 million in 2024.

That is one heckuva team-friendly deal. His teammate, former Buffalo Bills DB Tre'Davious White, is due to earn just under $3.5 million this season. One of the hottest free agents on the market, former Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl, is due to earn just over $4.23 million in 2024.

If the plan holds for 2024, the Rams will get top-tier production from this secondary at a fraction of the cost spent by other NFL teams. While even I must admit that I'm not used to the Rams bargain shopping as a general rule, I'm delighted to learn that this team is not about racing to the front of the NFL pay scale.

It's rare to sign a top-tier free agent for the secondary. It's even rarer to sign and free agent defensive back to a team-friendly deal. But the LA Rams have restocked their entire secondary with truly sensational talent for pennies on the dollar. Nobody can resist a bargain like that. GM Les Snead certainly didn't.

As always, thanks for reading.