Rams had most unique coverage scheme in the NFL last season

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Rams had most unique coverage scheme in the NFL last season

Cameron DaSilva
June 30, 2021 11:29 am PT
Brandon Staley helped transform and elevate the Los Angeles Rams’ defense in his first season as a defensive coordinator last year, quickly turning that performance into a head-coaching job with the Chargers. He did so after taking over for the legendary Wade Phillips, implementing his own scheme centered around Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.

The Rams played a lot of Cover 4 and Cover 6, but they mixed things up a ton. One week, Ramsey would play man coverage almost every snap against an elite receiver like DeAndre Hopkins. The next, he would play a lot of zone coverage in the slot.

So it’s not all that surprising that the Rams had the most unique coverage scheme in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus.

Here’s part of what PFF found when studying the coverage uniqueness of every team in the NFL:

Because the Rams played Cover 4 and Cover 6 much more frequently than the rest of the NFL, this gives us an idea that coverage scheme uniqueness is heavily weighted on the frequency of uncommon coverages being used. Other teams’ coverage schemes can be explored on The Kneel Down, which uses PFF data to automate that process.

ICYMI: @mfbanalytics and I wrote about the coverage scheme uniqueness of each team and how coverages change when coaches change.

A more unique team doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be successful. [t.co] pic.twitter.com/1dyhAK1F5i

— Ryan Weisman (@ryanweisman12) June 29, 2021

Obviously, the Rams will be transitioning to a new defensive coordinator with Raheem Morris stepping in after Staley’s departure, but the scheme isn’t expected to change a whole lot – at least based on what Staley, Sean McVay and Rams players have said this offseason.

Morris’ Falcons were much lower on the coverage uniqueness scale last season, ranking 19th in the NFL. A lack of coverage variety doesn’t mean a defense is bad, but many of the worst defenses in football – specifically against the pass – were lower on PFF’s coverage scheme uniqueness chart.

“The Rams and Dolphins fielded great pass defenses with unique schemes, while Pittsburgh, Washington and Tampa Bay relied more on the pass rush to stop opposing quarterbacks.”

Can Washington’s coverage take the defense to the next level in 2021?