2012-2016- The Fisher Era

Training Camp 2016: Previewing the L.A. Rams at the Safety position

T.J. McDonald celebrating against the Cleveland Browns. The Rams defeated the Browns 24-6 (Jonathan Dyer / USA TODAY Sports)

There were several roster changes in the Los Angeles Rams secondary in the offseason. At the safety position, the team lost starter Rodney McLeod to the Philadelphia Eagles. The team will need to find his replacement and settle the depth chart at a position that is among the weakest on the roster.

Three undrafted rookies are expected to compete for one backup safety spot while splitting time playing for special teams. Rohan Gaines, Jordan Lomax, and Brian Randolph got an invite to camp to compete for that spot.

Cody Davis and Christian Bryant are two former special teams’ players who will be looking to win the starting free safety position. Entering his fourth season with the Rams, Davis recorded 11 special teams’ tackles in 2015. Christian Bryant went from a practice squad player in 2014, to a member of the special teams last season. Both players have yet to show that they have starter talent, so this camp battle will be critical for showing the team whether or not it needs to look at acquiring another safety off the waiver wire or through trade.

T.J. McDonald remains a question mark as to how much he can contribute at camp due to his injury and off-the-field issues. Playing in just 11 games in 2015, McDonald recorded 38 tackles and one sack as a free safety. He was placed on IR at the end of the 2015 season after going through shoulder surgery. While he did not participate in OTAs, he is expected to take part in camp.

With T.J. McDonald suffering injuries and Mark Barron moving to linebacker, Maurice Alexander appears to have going into camp a legitimate shot at winning the job as a strong safety. Alexander recorded 29 tackles in the five games he replaced the injured McDonald. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is raving about Alexander’s progress in understanding how the game works. Williams said as much during a June interview with the media. “Right now, he [Alexander] is light years ahead of where he was when he first came in. He is having a really really good camp,” Coach Williams said. Alexander is in position to win the starting job at strong safety.

As the Rams enter training camp, competition for the strong and free safety positions remain wide open for Rams players, newcomers and veterans alike. Williams and head coach Jeff Fisher have some important decisions in the next few weeks regarding who will take the field against the 49ers on September 12.

Sources: Myles Simmons, Rams Insider, Gary Klein/Matt Hamilton, LA Times, Mark Inabett, Al.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com

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