The Los Angeles Rams didn’t draft a single cornerback this year, which came as a show of confidence toward the likes of Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill and David Long Jr. They did select Terrell Burgess in the third round, and he may contribute as a nickel corner in sub-packages early on.
Cornerback looks to be a strength in L.A. right now, but ESPN’s Matt Bowen still thinks the Rams should be in the market for help at that position. He named the Rams as the best fit for free-agent cornerback Prince Amukamara.
New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was with Amukamara in Chicago, and I expect the Rams will play more split-safety coverage this season. Amukamara fits with the scheme, and he would bring a veteran presence to the L.A. secondary.
Amukamara is arguably the best cornerback still available, excluding Logan Ryan. He’s a starting-caliber defender with a lot of experience, but it’d be hard for him to carve out a role in L.A. If an injury were to occur or the price were cheap enough, Amukamara wouldn’t be a terrible addition.
In the same article shared by ESPN, Bowen also picked the Rams as the best fit for the top quarterback on the market, Cam Newton. It’s an idea that his colleague Louis Riddick has also floated, while acknowledging that the Rams don’t have the cap space to fit him in right now.
The Rams’ current backup QB is John Wolford, who pales in comparison to Newton from a talent and experience perspective. But Wolford isn’t a threat to Jared Goff’s job the way Newton might be, if L.A. were to sign him.
If Newton takes on a backup role this season, landing with the Rams is a great spot for him. He would add depth and talent to the quarterback room behind starter Jared Goff, and Sean McVay’s play-action route tree would cater to Newton as a thrower.
Newton can still play at a high level and is only 31 years old. Sean McVay would find creative ways to get him involved even as a backup, using his mobility as a weapon in certain packages. But because of the Rams’ cap situation, it’s unlikely to happen.
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