Breaking down Rams DB competition: Roster locks, contenders, and long shots...

Breaking down Rams DB competition: Roster locks, contenders and long shots

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

With only two weeks to go, there’s a lot still to be determined in the secondary. The five starters (in nickel packages) are already set, but the backups and role players are still fighting for playing time, and in some cases, roster spots.

We’ve broken down the competition into three categories: locks, contenders and long shots. The locks are guaranteed roster spots, while the contenders have a solid chance to make the roster. The long shots are, well, long shots to make the team, though anything is possible.

Here’s how the defensive backs look as of now.

Locks


CB Aqib Talib: Talib had a little hamstring tweak earlier in camp and the Rams are still being smart with him, but in no way is he in any danger of being cut. He’s going to be Los Angeles’ top cornerback this season, locking down the left side of the defense.

CB Marcus Peters: His 2018 season left plenty to be desired, but he played well in the second half of the year when Talib returned from injury. This is a big season for Peters, who enters the final year of his contract.

CB Nickell Robey-Coleman: The self-proclaimed “slot god” has become one of the best nickel corners in the game today. Despite being undersized, Robey-Coleman is aggressive and sticky in coverage, providing excellent value in the slot.

CB David Long Jr.: Although his preseason performance has been up-and-down, Long isn’t going anywhere. As a third-round pick with immense potential, Long is surely safe from being cut. He’s projected to be a starter in 2020.

CB Troy Hill: If not for his contract extension, Hill might’ve found himself in the “contender” category. But instead, he’s a lock to make the team. The fact that he hasn’t played at all this preseason says a lot about how the coaching staff views him.

S John Johnson: Among the best safeties in the league, young or old, Johnson is poised for a big season in 2019. This could be his year to make the Pro Bowl for the first time, which would be a well-deserved honor.

S Eric Weddle: Weddle may not have a long-term future in Los Angeles, but for now, he’s the starter and leader in the secondary. Weddle was the Rams’ top offseason addition and will have a big impact on the entire defense.

S Taylor Rapp: Rapp has been a real bright spot this preseason despite playing limited snaps. He’s going to have a key role this season as the third safety and eventually become a full-time starter, likely in 2020 if Weddle retires or is cut.

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Contenders


CB Kevin Peterson: Peterson has arguably been the Rams’ best player this preseason, picking off one pass and breaking up another on a nice play against Dallas. He’s rising up the depth chart rather quickly, but he’s hardly a lock to make the team. There’s still a long way to go.

CB Dominique Hatfield: Hatfield has had a quiet preseason and training camp, doing very little to stand out from the crowd at CB. He has been playing a lot in the preseason, too, which could mean the coaches want to see more of him.

CB Darious Williams: Williams has played well this preseason but he’s still buried on the depth chart in a deep group of cornerbacks. He broke up two passes against the Cowboys on Saturday night and one more against the Raiders, stepping up nicely in the secondary. McVay likes what he’s seen, too, saying “his play and his confidence have really shown up.”

S Marqui Christian: Christian is as close to a lock as anyone in this group and is very likely to make the 53-man squad. However, there’s still a chance he’ll be cut or traded before the season begins because of the emergence of Rapp. After all, there are only so many snaps at safety to go around. In all likelihood, though, he’ll be on the regular-season roster, especially with Micah Kiser out.

S Nick Scott: Scott doesn’t get the added benefit of being a mid-round pick like Long. Instead, he has to stand out on special teams and prove himself deserving of a roster spot. He has a good chance of making the team after McVay said the hope is that he turns into the Rams’ version of Matthew Slater, but Scott hasn’t earned “lock” status yet.

S Steven Parker: Parker is a fast riser at safety after picking off Mike Glennon in the preseason opener and making a diving deflection in the second game. The Rams won’t be keeping six safeties, so Parker will have to beat out Christian and/or Scott.

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Long shots


CB Dont’e Deayon: It was tough to put Deayon in the “long shot” category instead of “contender,”but despite making a nice interception on Saturday, he still has a way to go. Deayon does have the experience of being on an NFL roster, which helps his case, but there’s a lot of talent ahead of him on the depth chart at the moment.

CB Ramon Richards: Richards isn’t even listed on the Rams’ depth chart, which says most of what you need to know. He hasn’t been getting a lot of playing time this preseason and it’s not because the coaches are protecting him from injury. He’s just further down in the pecking order.

S Jake Gervase: Gervase is a long shot largely due to the players ahead of him at safety. It’d be a complete surprise to see him beat out Christian or Scott for a roster spot, unless he truly stands out on special teams to the point where the coaches can’t help but keep him.