Rams rookie S Jordan Fuller deserves pre-camp buzz...

Ram’s rookie S Jordan Fuller deserves pre-camp buzz

[ramblinfan.com]

The LA Rams had a very good outcome from the 2020 NFL Draft at first appearances. After all, the team entered with a significantly long shopping list of needs for the offense, defense, and special teams. As the team prepared to enter the draft at the end of the 2019 season, questions persisted as to whether the team would even have enough picks to find rookies who could positively impact the team in 2020.

The Rams did get a bit of good news when the team was able to exchange WR Brandin Cooks and a 2022 fourth-round pick for the Texans 2020 second-round pick. The team also discovered that the team was awarded a valuable third-round compensatory draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft thanks to the contract signed by 2019 free agent left guard Rodger Saffold. Those additional picks allowed the Rams to fill offensive needs in round two, and defensive needs in round three.

Freestyle

That allowed the Rams to go “free-style” in the NFL Draft in later rounds, where the team truly focused upon the best player available on the draft board. It was only after the team addressed their immediate and urgent roster needs that the team was free to find valuable and undervalued talent. While the Rams made a case for drafting players whose talents exceeded their drafted selection, the Rams truly hit gold with their 199th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

It was in round six at that 199th spot that the LA Rams found Ohio State Buckeyes’ safety Jordan Fuller. Despite contributing to the excellent Buckeyes’ football program for four seasons, he was overlooked by many teams as a player who simply contributed well for an excellent football program. Many teams either had needs elsewhere or were enamored with the talent and depth of other positions available in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Fuller was on the Rams radar

If you were not aware of Jordan Fuller’s potential as a rookie for the LA Rams prior to his selection by the Rams, you weren’t reading our articles very closely. Fuller stood out in videos, in draft profiles, and in draft projections as a solid addition to the Rams roster. We had featured the Ohio State starting safety in several pre-draft articles and pointed out that he was a solid fit for the type of player the Rams needed to select in the draft.

He first appeared in an article featuring Big-Ten players attending the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. In that article, he was an ideal LA Rams option to fill the roster vacancy of retired safety Eric Weddle. The 6-foot-2 205-pound defensive back was an ideal prospect for the LA Rams roster, as Fuller had experience at both safety and cornerback, competed at the highest level of NCAA football for four seasons, was a starter and team captain with a very successful football program, and had the ability to play the position at a very high level in the NFL.

Mock Draft 3.1

Fuller also appeared in the Ramblin Fan Mock Draft 3.1. In that article, Larry Brake mocked him to the LA Rams in round four. In that mock, Brake pointed to his 4.67-second 40-yard time, as well as his 35.5-inch vertical jump as key indications that Fuller would be able to remain close with receivers and leap high enough to deflect and even intercept passes thrown his way. Will that be enough to ensure he has a great NFL career? Perhaps not, but it’s certainly a good place to start from.

In both articles, the retirement of veteran safety and starter Eric Weddle opened the door for the Rams to draft Fuller. And Fuller’s talent and performance at Ohio State made him an undeniable candidate to take over for Weddle. That point is even more emphasized now that the Rams face the challenge of re-signing safety John Johnson while attempting to re-sign cornerback Jalen Ramsey, wide receivers Josh Reynolds and Cooper Kupp, and tight end Gerald Everett. Fuller gives the Rams a “plan B” option if the team is unsuccessful at retaining Johnson beyond 2020.

Round four value, but round six bargain

By all accounts, Jordan Fuller was good, far better than where the Rams found him in round six. He was one of the players added by the Rams who filled a future need, but also adds that hint of flexibility to the Rams defense which suddenly emphasizes versatility and flexibility. In Fuller, the Rams landed one of the best coverage safeties in the draft.

Don’t take my word for it, but you should respect the opinion of Pro Football Focus College analysis:

The best rate among college safeties, drafted in round six? Whodda thunk?

Worker bee work ethic

The other downside risk was picking a young man who had already known his share of success at the college level and would be content enough with that experience to ease up a bit on training for an NFL role. He’s a young man on a mission to succeed in the NFL. That includes a workout regiment that rivals that of NFL veterans

And so, the young man pushes himself to the limit now so that his limit will be more than enough when the team decides who makes this roster.

There are no guarantees of earning a roster spot if you hear your name called on day three of the NFL Draft, and Fuller is not about to leave his NFL career to random chance. That means good things for the LA Rams defense this year, and well into the future. After all, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the LA Rams have this similarity on defense: both enjoy very successful football programs.