I have posted this several times before. Phillips' defense is predicated on having big, strong DB's who jam the receiver at the LOS and disrupt their routes. Talib is the only corner that can do this. Phillips, Hill, and Shields, and Robey-Coleman are just too small to do this. The Rams badly need a DB who is at leat 6 foot and 200 lbs. Next year it will still be Talib and Peters on the #1 and #2 WR respectively. But having new big DB to put on the #3 receiver will be huge. Then if Talib wants to play on the Rams beyond 2019....he can probably move to FS and be a top safety for another two years.
Next up is ILB. I know all the talk has been about OLB....but if the Rams like what they see in Fowler.....and Ebukam continues to grow.....I see ILB as the biggest need. Giving up big 10+ yard runs has been the biggest weakness of the Rams defense. A run-stuffing ILB will be the prescription to fix this. Barron needs to be gone. Littleton is playing above his pay grade.....but he is not a player to build a team around. I am not convinced Kiser is that guy either.
I think the coaching staff assume the Donald, Suh, Brockers D line would be more effective against the run.....so they could get away with a "developing" ILB crew. This was impacted a bit with Barron ailing early in the year. But it's clear what they have now is not getting it done.
