The Los Angeles Rams are going to need other cornerbacks to step up alongside Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill this season, and there is a rookie that could make himself a household name in 2022. With the regular season steadily approaching, PFF’s Michael Renner listed Decobie Durant as a Day 3 rookie to keep an eye on in 2022.
In the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, the Rams took Durant with the 142nd overall pick out of South Carolina. Los Angeles loves adding versatile defensive backs to their defense, and Durant is no exception as he can play on the outside or the inside at cornerback.
One might think that Durant coming from South Carolina State would bring about a steep learning curve, but that apparently hasn’t been the case. Durant is very much in the mold of former Ram Darious Williams at only 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. That’s not nearly as big of an issue in Los Angeles’ scheme as it is elsewhere, though. With Williams now gone, there are snaps up for grabs at cornerback that Durant could take.
Darious Williams signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, so there are snaps available for multiple cornerbacks on the Rams. Ramsey and Hill are expected to be on the field for nearly every defensive snap, but Durant could carve out an immediate role if he has a strong showing in the preseason.
Durant, who is listed as 5-foot-11 and around 180 pounds, had a knack for being able to force turnovers at South Carolina. Throughout his four years in college, Durant accumulated 12 interceptions, including three consecutive years where he had three-plus interceptions.
The Rams took a bevy of defensive backs in this year’s draft in Durant, Quentin Lake, Derion Kendrick, and Russ Yeast. Given the need for another cornerback to produce in the defense this season, it’s expected for Durant to potentially be another late-round contributor for Los Angeles in 2022.
