Versatile, lanky, and aggressive, Jaylen McCollough cut his teeth playing football down south, and the animalistic culture surrounding SEC football has bred some of the best defensive backs in the NFL.
But it’s deeper than that. It’s a football identity formed on the harsh gridirons in McCollough’s native Georgia – a high school recruiting hotbed that McCollough’s play earned him a four-star ranking and an eventual scholarship.
While he fell through the cracks in the pre-draft process, McCollough brings those experiences and mentality front and center when he shines as the Rams’ newest defensive star. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee surprised many during training camp and after a strong preseason, McCollough has been an irreplaceable part of the Rams’ defense.
Like another safety from the south, Derwin James, McCullough has been asked to play various roles that have carved out a unique position for him. He’ll fluctuate between getting close to the line of scrimmage and dropping deep, he’s an excellent tackler and has been used to plug the run. He’s often assigned to the running back, displaying excellent discipline to not get faked out on play actions and wheel routes.
On Sunday, McCollough put in a season-high nine tackles against the Jets but none of those were as crucial as his coverage on Breece Hall in the endzone. McCollough’s discipline and technique forced Aaron Rodgers to throw an uncatchable ball at the end of the first half. The Jets settled for three points to it would be their last score of the game. That play served as a crucial turning point in the Rams’ 19-9 victory and now the team is one step closer to clinching the NFC West.
McCollough is also tied for ninth in the league with four interceptions, with his ball skills dissuading teams from throwing his way. McCollough’s interceptions have played a pivotal role as his two against Las Vegas kickstarted the Rams’ recent run of success and his pick against Seattle disrupted their offensive strategy to the point of ineffectiveness.
Thanks to one undrafted rookie signing, the Rams have their safety for the future. A gem waiting to be discovered, McCollough is not only one of the best undrafted free agents of 2024, he’s one of the best players in the entire draft class period.