The No. 1 defense of the Los Angeles Rams was the key to the team’s success throughout the course of the 2020 campaign.
Although some turnover was to be expected due to their cap situation heading into the new league year, the Rams have been dealt a handful of blows to this elite group so far this offseason. Cornerback Troy Hill was the latest key player to join the list of departures after defensive lineman Michael Brockers, safety John Johnson III, edge Samson Ebukam and defensive lineman Morgan Fox also went elsewhere.
Hill is the second member of the secondary to be poached by the Browns in free agency behind Johnson. While losing such integral members is hardly ideal in a season with Super Bowl expectations, head coach Sean McVay is optimistic about the state of this group moving forward.
L.A. boasted plenty of quality depth over the top with the emergence of Darious Williams, Terrell Burgess and Jordan Fuller. McVay feels they are more than prepared to take on an increased role in the 2021 NFL season, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“You look at Darious Williams, he’s done an outstanding job that you tender him as a one, which is what we felt like his worth was to us,” McVay said. “You’re going to ask some guys like David Long (Jr.) to really step up, when you lose a Troy Hill. You invest in the safety position the last couple of years with Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, we saw what Jordan Fuller was able to do. Those are three guys that we’re very excited about.”
The Rams managed to alleviate some of their losses by re-signing linebacker Leonard Floyd and placing a first-round tender on Williams. Given how well Burgess, Fuller and cornerback David Long Jr. played last season, there is good reason to be hopeful that they can step up.
Having elite pieces like defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey helps serve as a stabilizing factor for younger players finding their footing. The onus will also fall on new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to utilize their skill sets in a similar way Brandon Staley did.
Defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Sebastian Joseph-Day will be taking over for Brockers on the inside while Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Terrell Lewis fill the void left by Ebukam and Fox in the pass rush department.
Defensive back Taylor Rapp could also be poised for a bounce-back year after registering 44 total tackles, three pass breakups and one interception in nine games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
