The Los Angeles Rams defense is almost starting from scratch outside of Aaron Donald as Raheem Morris will be relying primarily on second-year players and rookies.
The Rams made the tough decision to part ways with their key veterans to reset the books, signaling the start of what the organization has been calling a remodel. Defensively, Los Angeles is widely expected to struggle, though that means younger players like Derion Kendrick will have their opportunities to grow and develop.
Drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Kendrick was known as a fast and aggressive defensive back who could play the ball well downfield. In his rookie season, Kendrick showed some of those traits though he predictably had his fair share of learning moments as well.
Ahead of his second year with the Rams, Kendrick knew he had the chance to take on a bigger role and has been doing his best to get in better shape to prepare for it, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“Since the season ended, I’ve been working on slimming down and stuff like that, just because I know the role’s coming and bigger roles come all right now is no fit and good getting comfortable out there,” Kendrick told theRams.com.
Kendrick added that his technique and discipline have also been focus points for him during the spring:
“I’d say the most the best thing for me to do right now is take technique,” Kendrick said, when asked how his rookie season influenced his approach this spring. “Put that at the top, and then discipline is number two for me. That’s that’s the main tool for me technique and discipline. And then just follow follow close.”
Without Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill, Kendrick has the inside track to claim one of the starting outside corner spots. During minicamp and OTAs, Kendrick has been playing with urgency and that hasn’t been lost on the coaching staff. If he continues on this trajectory, then the Georgie product should be a key contributor on defense this year.
Matthew Stafford not worried about outside expectations surrounding Rams
The media and analysts are low on Los Angeles’ chances of doing anything of significance this year due to the state of their roster. However, the players have done well to block out the noise, with Matthew Stafford even coming out to say that he hasn’t been worrying about what outsiders think of the Rams.
