Much has been made about the Los Angeles Rams’ revamped secondary this offseason. With the additions of All-Pros Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, as well as former Pro Bowler Sam Shields, the cornerback position is rightfully garnering a lot of attention.

The three starters in Peters, Talib and Nickell Robey-Coleman can match up with any trio of receivers in the NFL, potentially emerging as the best cornerback unit in all of football. But let’s not forget about the safety position, which has become extremely important in today’s pass-happy league.

Lamarcus Joyner and John Johnson will roam the back end for the Rams this season, continuing what success they had as first-year starters a year ago. They’re almost interchangeable between the free and strong safety spots, each holding up well against the run and pass.

It’s Joyner, however, who proved to be an elite player a year ago, and Talib is quickly realizing that in camp. He gave Joyner a huge compliment recently when talking to Dan Graziano of ESPN, <a href=" “He reminds me of Earl Thomas. He’s sideline-to-sideline. They throw fades, he comes out of the post, and any sideline, he gets to that fade,” Talib said. “So he allows corners to be a little bit more greedy, when I know my post safety’s going to get there on the fade. He’s got a great burst out there in the post, man. He flies around on this field. So he reminds me of Earl Thomas, and I don’t think he gets enough credit.” That’s some high praise for a safety who’s entering just his second season starting full-time at the position in the NFL. Thomas is unanimously viewed as one of the best safeties in the game today and was a key cog in the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” during its reign of terror. If Joyner can become the player that Thomas has been for Seattle, the Rams will have an irreplaceable talent on their hands. He still has some ways to go before reaching that level, but Joyner was a stud in 2017 and all indications point toward him improving again this season.