Of all the positions on the Rams’ roster, cornerback might be the deepest. It’s been that way for a couple of years, though the group looks vastly different than it did in 2018 when Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters were at the top of the depth chart.
Now, it’s Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill and Nickell Robey-Coleman as the projected starters, with David Long Jr., Darious Williams and Donte Deayon further down. Long will be back, as should Williams, but Deayon’s future isn’t as certain.
He’ll be a restricted free agent in March, which makes it easier for the Rams to retain him if they want to. The question is, will they?
- 2019 stats: 3 games, 3 tackles, 43 defensive snaps played
- PFF grade: N/A
Analysis
Deayon didn’t contribute much at all in 2019 as a reserve cornerback. He was only active for three games, made three tackles and wasn’t targeted in coverage. He played 43 defensive snaps and 44 on special teams, getting on the field very little.
He does have NFL experience, though, playing eight games for the Giants in 2017 and 2018. He broke up three passes, recovered a fumble and made 16 tackles in that span, but his contributions were still limited.
Deayon is a smaller cornerback, standing at just 5-foot-9, 159 pounds. He’s best suited in the slot against shorter, quicker wide receivers, but with how often teams put big receivers in the slot, that doesn’t always work out in Deayon’s favor.
Positional need: Low
The Rams don’t necessarily need cornerback help right now. They have a solid group of four corners on the depth chart heading into 2020, assuming Robey-Coleman has his option picked up.
Deayon will be buried on the depth chart again behind the aforementioned players, making it far from a necessity for the Rams to re-sign him. They could use some help in 2021, depending on how things go, but it’s not an immediate need.
Prediction: Signs one-year deal with another team
The Rams have the option to apply an original-round tender to Deayon, which wouldn’t net them a draft pick in return if a team were to sign him to an offer sheet and the Rams didn’t match. However, that tender would be worth $2.14 million for the 2020 season alone. That’s only $1.3 million less than Hill will make next year, and he’s going to be a starter.
Instead of using a tender, the Rams should pass on the tender and let him hit the market. They’ll most likely select a corner in the draft, so Deayon may not even make the team.
They could sign him to a cheaper contract, but it’s not necessary and there will be better players available in the draft and free agency.