[Elvis]

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-ra ... epth-at-cb

Kayvon Webster gives Rams much-needed depth at CB


Former Bronco Kayvon Webster could start opposite Trumaine Johnson as the Rams No. 2 corner. John Leyba/The Denver Post/Getty Images

10:50 PM PT
Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams signed Kayvon Webster on Monday, adding some much-needed depth at cornerback. Webster, a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2013, has compiled 64 solo tackles over his four-year career, but 59 of them came in his first two seasons. The 26-year-old had a hard time carving out a role on a dominant Broncos secondary in recent years and will see a lot more playing time with the Rams.

Terms: Two-year deal, though the value was not immediately available.

Grade: The Rams get a B-minus for this. They needed more quality depth at cornerback, and they got it with someone who is still young and has little mileage on him. The Rams were so desperate for depth at that position that they franchised cornerback Trumaine Johnson for a second straight season, a tag that would pay him nearly $17 million. Their No. 2 corner last year, E.J. Gaines, missed all of 2015 with a serious foot injury and was limited to 10 starts in 2016 with other ailments. Outside of him is Lamarcus Joyner, an excellent slot corner who has at times been vulnerable on the outside. Then there's Blake Countess, Troy Hill and Mike Jordan, unproven young players who aren't necessarily part of their future plans.

What it means: It means that Webster could start opposite Johnson as the No. 2 corner. And it definitely means that the Rams have a little bit more flexibility in potentially trading Johnson, who has been shopped in the past week. Webster barely played over the past two years, but he spent that time under new Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, which will definitely give him a leg up for a starting spot. He is expected to come in and compete with Gaines and potentially others.

What's the risk? That Webster simply doesn't have the experience or the ability to assume such a large role. Webster received only 58 defensive snaps the past two years, while playing behind standout corners such as Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and Bradley Roby. But Webster has been a key contributor on special teams and has been lauded for his athleticism. The Rams like his speed, toughness, aggressiveness in press man and his versatility, as someone who can play on the outside and in the slot.

[Elvis]

[PARAM]

The Rams were so desperate for depth at that position that they franchised cornerback Trumaine Johnson for a second straight season, a tag that would pay him nearly $17 million. Their No. 2 corner last year, E.J. Gaines, missed all of 2015 with a serious foot injury and was limited to 10 starts in 2016 with other ailments. Outside of him is Lamarcus Joyner, an excellent slot corner who has at times been vulnerable on the outside. Then there's Blake Countess, Troy Hill and Mike Jordan, unproven young players who aren't necessarily part of their future plans.

Quite right. Who knows if Countess, Hill and Jordan will play a significant role on the team. Hill started out okay but seemed to get burned a lot. And it may be selective memory, but I thought Countess showed some chops when given the chance.

[RamsFanSince82]

[RamsFanSince82]