The Los Angeles Rams have careened back into the playoff conversation on the back of a three-game win streak, but even in those wins the soft underbelly of the defense was exposed. While the defensive line has continued to wreak havoc, the secondary has proved to be a sieve against explosive passes. Not only that but with the team moving on from Tre’Davious White, the depth margins are paper thin.
This was on full display when undrafted rookie Josh Wallace was carted off the field and the secondary had to re-shuffle back to its previous iteration, with Quentin Lake playing the STAR role, and the once-benched Kamren Kitchens thrust back into a starting role as safety. The explosive passes kept the Seattle Seahawks in the game. The Rams defense gave up passing gains of 22, 30, 46, 24 and 29 yards.
The Rams Should Have Traded For Marshon Lattimore
The Rams are relying a lot on rookies, they make up 40 percent of the total defensive backs, which will result in high variance. If the Rams aren’t looking to add to this group, it will cost them down the stretch, when the playoff picture will constrict.
It has been reported that the New Orleans Saints have traded veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders.
Had the Rams been able to add Lattimore, it would have taken the stress off of several aspects of the defense. Cobie Durant and Qunetin Lake could rotate to the nickel, allowing Lake more flexibility to play deep safety, his most skilled position. It would also mean Darious Willams wouldn’t be left on an island as much, also giving his 31-year-old frame a chance to rest.
Some have labeled the 28-year-old as cooked, but looking at his numbers, he is still a true shutdown cornerback, especially against explosive plays. Despite playing 84 percent of his team’s defensive snaps, he has been targeted just 14 times, least among starting cornerbacks. He has allowed just eight catches for 83 yards. The longest play he has allowed is just 18 yards — with other longest gains being 15, 14, and 13-yard gains.
Head coach Sean McVay openly said the Rams wouldn’t be active in the trade deadline and it won’t be long before we find out if they missed on adding a cornerback. They face the highly explosive Miami Dolphins offense on Monday Night Football.
