It seems the Los Angeles Rams are once again ready to properly contend for the AFC West after a surprisingly competitive “rebuilding” year in 2023.
Los Angeles Rams Looking To Become A Powerhouse On Both Sides Of The Ball
![BREAKING: Los Angeles Rams Re-Sign $33 Million Safety, Once Again Bringing Back A Formerly Departed Secondary Piece 1 kobie turner byron young etc](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kobie-turner-byron-young-etc-300x161.jpeg)
Equipped with what may be one of the NFL’s most underrated offensive lines; lead by highly compensated guards, Kevin Dotson and former Detroit Lion, Jonah Jackson, alongside bookends Alaric Jackson and long time veteran, Rob Havenstein; elite receiving corps with Cooper Kupp and breakout star, Puka Nacua; the Rams may potentially have the most stacked offense in the NFC for quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to work with.
However, what stood out to many observers of the LA Rams last season was not just the offense, which finished 7th in total yardage last season despite Stafford 2 games, but the young defense – mostly composed of young mid-round draft picks – many of whom stepped up in a big way.
3rd round rookie pass rushers, a notoriously difficult position to draft outside of the 1st round, Kobie Turner and Byron Young, recorded 17 sacks between them, with the former being a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. And on the back end, the Los Angeles Rams decided to bulk up a young cornerback duo of Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick with the additions of Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White.
Now, however, LA have decided to bring back a familiar face at the safety position to pair with recently signed free agent, Kamren Curl, per Adam Schefter.
Rams reached agreement with free-agent safety John Johnson III, bringing him back to Los Angeles for his third stint with the team. pic.twitter.com/eCWze71vnv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 4, 2024
John Johnson III Joining A Notable Group Of Returning Ex Rams To The Secondary
![BREAKING: Los Angeles Rams Re-Sign $33 Million Safety, Once Again Bringing Back A Formerly Departed Secondary Piece 2 John Johnson III Celebrates an Interception](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ALHMTIHZ6JCCLHS3Q2N5FJJYEE-300x186.jpeg)
It was clear that even with the excellent coaching from now former defensive coordinator and now Atlanta Falcons head coach, Raheem Morris, the entire Los Angeles Rams defense was in need of reinforcements on all 3 levels. Especially after the half-expected retirement of All-World future Hall of Fame defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.
The Rams responded by drafting linebacker, Jared Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, followed by Florida State alum, Braden Fiske, who they moved up to take in the 2nd. The secondary was evidently the area that required most improvement, and LA replaced 3/4 of last year’s starters in the additions of White, Williams and Curl.
It also marks the continuation of an interesting trend emerging from Les Snead’s team, who have now bought back 3 ex-secondary members; all of whom departed for bigger contracts in free agency in the past 3 years.
Troy Hill and John Johnson III both departed for the Cleveland Browns back in 2021, whilst Darious Williams signed a 3 year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.
Since then, all 3 of them have returned; Hill was traded back to the Rams for a 5th round pick in 2022 before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, Williams lasted 2 years before being cut this past offseason, whilst Johnson also lasted 2 years at the Browns before being released and subsequently picked up by LA.
Although he did not grade out particularly well in the at-times-questionable PFF rankings, garnering just a 55.8 score, his actual play was markedly better, managing to regain a starting spot in the line-up after starting the season as a rotational player, eventually becoming very much the leader of the young Rams secondary.
Johnson is probably not quite the borderline elite safety he was 2-3 years ago, but he is no doubt still a worthy experienced starter who contributes to the team both on and off the field.
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