Back in 2017, the Los Angeles Rams selected safety John Johnson III in the third round of the NFL Draft and he would quickly become one of the team’s most important defensive pieces. In four seasons with the Rams, Johnson totaled 350 tackles, eight interceptions and 32 passes defensed.
In 2021, Johnson would leave the Rams to sign a big three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns where he continued his strong play. But the Browns decided to release Johnson this offseason and the safety had gone unsigned until now.
With the Rams undoubtedly having a need in their secondary and at the free safety position, in particular, they have agreed to a one-year deal with Johnson on a return to the team that drafted him, via Jake Ellenbogen of Off The Edge:
SOURCE: #Rams are signing former Ram Safety John Johnson III today. He was taking in training camp yesterday and he now will join a young safety room of Jordan Fuller, Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast and Jason Taylor II.
GOING LIVE HERE: https://t.co/L6mC5SoAs0 pic.twitter.com/YNT7w2HXZR
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) August 7, 2023
The addition of Johnson undoubtedly bolsters the Rams safety group, which has little experience. Jordan Fuller is the exception and has shined for the Rams, but he has dealt with injuries over the last couple of seasons, appearing in just three games last year.
Aside from Fuller, the likes of Quentin Lake and Russ Yeast each made appearances last year as rookies but have proven little while Jason Taylor II is a seventh-round rookie. Johnson will provide some much needed stability for the Rams’ back end.
Johnson has shown that he can be one of the NFL’s best safeties and is coming off a good year in Cleveland where he finished with 101 tackles, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. With Johnson, Fuller and free agent addition cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, the Rams now have some proven pieces in that secondary.
With promising players such as Ernest Jones and Michael Hoecht and, of course, the return to health of superstar Aaron Donald, the Rams are in the midst of putting together a respectable defense. The Rams were actually one of the top teams in the NFL last season in interceptions and Johnson will only help them further, giving them a center fielder who always finds himself around the ball.
Preseason is just around the corner and the Rams will be looking to come together in hopes of surprising many around the league this year.
