Los Angeles Rams: Cousins to Cardinals could change everything in the NFC West by Steve Rivera

With the recent moves the Los Angeles Rams have made, might they be focusing on crafting a top tier defense for Wade Phillips going into 2018?

The Los Angeles Rams have made two moves the last two Fridays, bringing in CB Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs and sending OLB Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins for picks. While the first move brought in a Pro Bowl caliber defender, the latter move sent one away, but freed up over $10 million in cap space. The suspicion is that the Rams have plans to use the extra cap flexibility soon.

So let’s play the “what if game.”

If the Rams were able to resign CB Trumaine Johnson, S Lamarcus Joyner, and CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, the Rams defensive backfield would look something like this:

CB Marcus Peters

CB Trumaine Johnson

CB Kayvon Webster

CB Nickel Robey-Coleman

CB Troy Hill

S Lamarcus Joyner

S John Johnson

This would have the star power, the big play potential, and the depth to square up against any offense. It would be one of the most formidable defensive backfields in the NFL.

Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips is well known for crafting a suffocating defense with the Denver Broncos, who won the 2015 Super Bowl. That defensive backfield, dubbed the “No Fly Zone” by fans and complete with their own “Let’s Go D” chant after a successful defensive play, was predicated on strong coverage and helped by a vicious pass rush. Might Phillips be building the No Fly Zone 2.0 with the Rams?

If this becomes the secondary for the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 then he is well on his way. However, they are still in need of more edge players to pressure the quarterback. Perhaps the rest of free agency and the draft will focus on that task.

The Rams had the number one scoring offense in the league last season. If they added a stout, suffocating defense, they would be a serious contender to play in Atlanta next February. Stay tuned for more.