The Los Angeles Rams\u2019 newest additions this offseason won\u2019t impact the scheme.<\/p>\n
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said Trent McDuffie<\/a> and Jaylen Watson<\/a> will \u201cunleash\u201d the Rams playbook. He believes schemes should cater to the player\u2019s strengths.<\/p>\n \u201c(Physicality) is my strength. That\u2019s why I think me and Trent complement each other so well,\u201d Watson said<\/a>. \u201cHis strengths are short-area quickness and small, shifty guys, my strengths are (guarding) the bigger receivers, so we should be pretty diverse. We should be able to match up pretty well against a lot of different teams.\u201d<\/p>\n McDuffie and Watson are elite corners with top-tier skillsets. Both corners have been among the best in yards allowed per coverage snap<\/a> since they entered the league in 2022.<\/p>\n Last season, the Rams’ secondary was undersized, but this year, they can play with more aggression. McDuffie and Watson\u2019s physical gameplay fits perfectly with the Rams’ new defensive style.<\/p>\n The Rams focused mainly on a 3-4 or 4-3 defense and often shifted to a zone defense, like Cover 4, with deep safety help. Shula became an expert in disguising the defense because he didn\u2019t have a roster with elite corners. The defense was designed to limit the explosive plays and keep everything in front of the defenders rather than take risks.<\/p>\n This upcoming season, the Rams could continue to disguise the defense but shift from zone to man coverage post-snap. The two new Los Angeles corners played in a 4-3 system in Kansas City with more man than zone. The Chiefs’ defense was based on winning man-to-man matchups and shut-down pass defense on third down and in the red zone.<\/p>\n Shula might adopt several schemes from the Chiefs defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo was big on pressure through surprise blitzes. Like Shula, he disguised the defense but added cover 0 with all-out blitzes to confuse opposing quarterbacks. Should Shula choose to use the Chiefs\u2019 defensive schemes, he could merge two of the league\u2019s best defenses. Elite in offense but average in defense last season, the Rams could be one of the few teams that are dominant on both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n McDuffie and Watson\u2019s talent proves that team success in the NFL is based on the level of talent. Shula\u2019s new potential scheme wasn\u2019t an option last season because of Emmanuel Forbes\u2019s lack of size. At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Forbes\u2019 weakness is matching up against bigger, more physical receivers. His build limits defensive scheme options.<\/p>\n \u201cHis wire-thin frame does not work in his favor,\u201d Lance Zierlein said on his pre-draft scouting report<\/a>. \u201cHis slender build and lack of tackle strength will make him a target for opposing running games.\u201d<\/p>\n Watson said he has already talked with the Rams\u2019 defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, Jimmy Lake<\/a>. Watson\u2019s aggressive play style is excellent against big defenders and makes him a dominant defender in the pass game and a dynamic tackler against the run.<\/p>\nThe Rams’ Newest Corners Fit Perfectly<\/h2>\n
McDuffie and Watson’s Skills<\/h3>\n
Rams Potential New Schemes<\/h3>\n
Watson’s Mindset<\/h3>\n