Report:  Rams planning to move this defender to a different position?

The Los Angeles Rams defense in 2024 is anticipated to change, particularly with the departure of franchise icon Aaron Donald and the addition of first-year coordinator Chris Shula.

However, DB Quentin Lake, who was mostly used as a slot corner previous season, moved to a position that wasn’t quite anticipated. In his third season, it appears the team may be considering using him more as a regular safety. When discussing the “star” position that Lake played most of 2023, Shula mentioned two other defenders during his media session on Wednesday: Russ Yeast and Derion Kendrick.

These remarks don’t exactly disprove the idea that Lake won’t be used as a slot corner in 2024, but with LA’s present secondary depth, this strategy would make sense. According to Sean McVay, not me, Lake is viewed as an emerging player on the Los Angeles defense.

Veteran Kamren Curl of the Washington Commanders is coming in. Curl was a steal of a free agent that the Rams signed, and he should start right away as a safety with box flexibility. A more significant question is where to start.

Prior to giving up playing time to John Johnson during the second half of the previous season, Yeast largely performed that job the previous year. Lake is a possibility, despite the fact that he played a hybrid cornerback role last season after missing the majority of his rookie year in 2022 due to an offseason injury. Lake hasn’t been thoroughly examined as a permanent safety. The other choices would be 2024 third-round pick Kamren Kinchens and seventh-round pick Jason Taylor from last year, who is primarily seen as a special teams player. While Jordan Fuller last made the most of his opportunities in his rookie season back in 2020, the Rams don’t frequently push rookies to go in and start from day one.

Although their size profiles would lead one to believe that Tre Tomlinson or Darious Williams would be good fits at slot corner, both players are more effective when used outside. Since going on the field, Williams has mostly played outside cornerback in the NFL. Although Tomlinson worked full-time on the perimeter at TCU, we haven’t seen much of him as a professional. For the most of the Rams’ preseason play last year, Tomlinson was used outside.

For the Rams defense, the offseason is still early. Even though Shula’s remarks might indicate that Quentin Lake switches positions, it’s still important to keep an eye on this development leading up to training camp and the regular season.

Which two safety players do you think LA will start against the Detroit Lions on opening day? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.