Rams' Josh Wallace keeps proving himself at every opportunity

It might not feel like it, but the Los Angeles Rams boast one of the NFL's best pass defenses. Despite the secondary fighting through a host of injuries, it has remained incredibly stingy. Through five games, only the Seattle Seahawks have allowed fewer passing yards.

The Rams had to make do without starting cornerback Jaylen Watson after he injured his shoulder in the first half against the Broncos and sat out Week 4 in Philadelphia, before returning against the Buffalo Bills.

It might be natural to suspect that the reserves who have stepped in to contribute are struggling. They aren't. Undrafted cornerback Josh Wallace is one such player. After five games, Pro Football Focus has given him a solid 63.4 grade.

Wallace is holding his own in Year 3. Even in Watson's Week 5 return, Wallace earned his third start of the year despite an expected decrease in overall snaps. Here's how LA's corners stack up so far:

• Trent McDuffie | 21 targets | 7 receptions | 7 PDs | 1 INT vs 0 TD | 16 tackles | 1 missed tkls
• Jaylen Watson | 17 targets | 9 receptions | 5 PDs | 0 INT vs 2 TD | 11 tackles | 2 missed tkls
• Emmanuel Forbes | 5 targets | 2 receptions | 1 PD | 0 INT vs 1 TD | 3 tackles | 0 missed tkls
• Josh Wallace | 10 targets | 5 receptions | 2 PDs | 1 INT vs 0 TD | 11 tackles | 1 missed Tkl

Well, that supports the conclusion that LA's secondary has been playing well.

Josh Wallace is earning a larger role in Rams secondary

LA is getting solid performances from every cornerback called into action. It's also clear that McDuffie is the workhorse so far. Unlike other star corners, McDuffie continues to be thrown at on a weekly basis. That stopped against the Bills. Maybe the league got the memo.

But Wallace is getting his share of targets as well, and he's holding up quite impressively.

Both Wallace and Forbes are playing in the last season of their current contracts. Due to his significant past playing time, Forbes will be an unrestricted free agent and could land a decent contract at season's end if he plays well.

Wallace is on track to become a restricted free agent. The difference is that the Rams will have an opportunity to extend a qualifying tender offer to Wallace that will preserve their right of first refusal. That means that they will have an opportunity to match any offer and keep Wallace on the team.

LA's pass defense faced its stiffest challenge of the season in Week 5. Rams DBs knew they'd have their hands full with neutralizing Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid alongside receivers Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir.

While the run defense fell apart like wet paper, the secondary did its part in limiting Allen's production through the air. Wallace allowed just one seven-yard catch on two targets.

With so many players vying for extensions, those who offer more value and upside are the ones who will return. And right now, Wallace is checking all the boxes.

As always, thanks for reading.

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