The Rams have other FA defensive back options to upgrade their secondary

The Los Angeles Rams did not sign recently released veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander. The Rams were unsuccessful in their pursuit to trade for veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey. And some NFL analysts have gone Chicken Little on the way events have transpired, let me assure you that the sky is not falling upon the Rams' secondary. But if you insist that the Rams must add more players to the secondary before you will rest easy, why ignore the fact that many solid options for the secondary are still unsigned?

The Rams front office will not hesitate to act if a need is identified.

So why haven't the Rams done more to address the secondary? Isn't it obvious? When Rams HC Sean McVay shot down rumors of the Rams having any interest in Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander after his unexpected release, he was also giving a nod to the players on the Rams roster.

But if that perspective changes? Never fear, as there are several promising defensive backs still seeking a job:

Bargain shopping for defensive backs

Should the Rams suddenly spring significant interest in reinforcing their secondary ranks, some would conclude that the best of the bunch have already been claimed and signed. But I don't think that is the case in 2025. Several recognizable additions that could earn defensive snaps are still reading the NFL want ads. While there are many such unsigned veterans, why not join me in looking over a number of the more notable options?

(3) - Safety Jordan Poyer

While a 34-year-old safety may not be the first option for your secondary shopping list, veteran Jordan Poyer is worth a look. He suited up for 964 defensive snaps in 2024, generating 98 tackles, three pass deflections, one quarterback hit, and three quarterback pressures. In pass coverage, he allowed just 33 of 50 targets to find their mark, resulting in a respectable 66 percent completion rate.

While Poyer remains a free agent, he is entering his 13th NFL season. And he is like a fine wine or antique, as the older he gets, the more valuable he becomes. He was All-Pro in 2021, and a Pro Bowler in 2022. There is no expectation that he can generate that level of play in the Rams' secondary, but he is a wily veteran who could be a huge asset on this team.

(3) - Cornerback Stephon Gilmore

You may not have much interest in veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore, but you should. Gilmore is a former five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, and he is entering his 14th NFL season. While a veteran facing his 35th birthday when the 2025 NFL season begins, Gilmore is another ageless veteran who still has plenty left in his tank.

Gilmore suited up and started 15 games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, playing an impressive 864 defensive snaps. He generated 56 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one interception, and nine pass deflections. In pass coverage, he allowed a completion rate of just 61.9 percent. Best of all, Gilmore boasted a run defense grade of 77.6 in 2024, as well as only missed tackles at a rate of 5.1 percent.

While he may not have the juice to start 17 games, and still be fresh for the postseason, he is ideally suited for a rotational role in this secondary, as well as mentoring younger teammates. He is a true thumper, and that is always in style.

(2) - Safety K'Von Wallace

While veteran safety K'Von Wallace suffered a late season ankle injury in 2024, he appears to be fully healthy and looking for his next opportunity to compete in the NFL. His injury limited his availability for the Seattle Seahawks last season, appearing in just nine games and for 127 defensive snaps. Still, he managed to put up15 tackles and one forced fumble.

Wallace is suited for a rotational role, rather than a starting role. But that would be ideal for the Rams' current depth chart. The team appears to have plenty of starters and fewer role players. But what attracted me to Wallace is the fact that he seldom misses tackles. Better still, this 5-foot-11, 205-pound veteran safety registered a very impressive 77.0 run defense grade last season. A solid run defender could come in handy in 2025.

(2) - Cornerback Rasul Douglas

Another veteran cornerback who is still reading the NFL want ads is former Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas. Ironically, several veterans from a solid Bills secondary are now unemployed. Douglas still has plenty of fire in his belly, and coupling that with his age of turning 30 years old just before the start of the 2025 season should translate to a solid contributing role in the Rams secondary. And as he is entering just his eighth NFL season, he is still in his prime.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 209 pounds, Douglas is a big-bodied defensive back who can lower the boom. Despite playing 830 defensive snaps and starting 15 games, Douglas missed just 4.9 percent of his tackles in 2024. He amassed 58 tackles, five tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and five pass deflections. In coverage, Douglas allowed a less impressive 72.9 percent of passes to find their target, which was significantly higher than his 51.3 completion rate allowed in 2023.

(1) - Safety John Johnson III

No veteran defensive back makes more sense to sign to the Rams secondary than John Johnson III. He is a hard hitter, an elite pass cover safety, and he is intimately familiar with the Rams football team, both the coaches and the players. Despite being limited to just 59 defensive snaps and two games in 2024, it makes complete sense to come back for another shot at a full season.

The 6-foot-0, 204-pound defensive back will only turn 30 years old in the second half of the 2025 NFL season, and he embodies the blue-collar work ethic that fans have come to expect from a Rams defensive player. In 2023, the last full season played in the Rams secondary, he had 42 tackles, six deflected passes, and two interceptions. In that year, he allowed just 61.5 percent of passes targeting him to find their mark. And he only missed 4.5 percent of his tackles in 2023.

To be honest, I'm surprised that the Rams have not already re-signed him. But if they want to land an impact player, he should be the next signing.

(1) - Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

NFL teams are wary about signing free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. after he suffered a neck injury last season and the mysterious manner in which the team handled his injury. The team opted to place Asante Samuel Jr. on injured reserve during a BYE week, essentially shutting him down for the rest of the season. Even more puzzling, the Chargers made no effort to re-sign Samuel after his rookie contract expired.

The combination of a serious neck injury coupled with a lack of interest by his former team, the team that would be most familiar with his medical status, has warned teams off from a quick signing. But at least one NFL analyst has linked the Los Angeles Rams to Asante Samuel Jr.

Could it happen? Perhaps. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Samuel will turn 26 years old in the early weeks of the 2025 season. Before his 2024 injury, Samuel was a rising star in the Los Angeles Chargers secondary, averaging two interceptions per season, while only allowing 59.5 percent of passes thrown his way to find their target.

Samuel is not going to give the secondary a solid tackler, as he has only averaged a 13.3 percent missed tackle rate over his NFL career.

The Rams took a swing and missed at restoring injured veteran cornerback Tre'Davious White last season. But with a one-year contract estimated at $8 million, the Rams could step up once more with a promising young secondary talent.

The Rams may truly be extremely confident in the players currently on their roster to handle the need to cover some of the NFL's best receivers. But if that confidence wanes in training camp or is shaken by an ill-timed injury, GM Les Snead has several quality defensive backs to choose from. But as we have come to know in the past, this is a limited-time offer. They won't be unsigned forever.

As always, thanks for reading

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