ESPN’s Bill Barnwell broke down the best fits for the top remaining free agents and identified the Los Angeles Rams as the best landing spot for Ahkello Witherspoon. Witherspoon was added to the Rams roster last summer heading into training camp to add much-needed size and experience to the defensive backfield.
The Rams find themselves in a similar position this season. As Barnwell puts it, “While Los Angeles brought back former waiver wire success story Darious Williams this offseason, their depth chart doesn’t have the sort of big cornerback they sought out when they signed Witherspoon last offseason.”
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Ahkello Witherspoon’s 2023 With The Los Angeles Rams
Witherspoon was the Rams best starting defensive back, allowing a completion percentage of just 48.1, the best in the league among cornerbacks with 100 or more targets. He was one of the most targeted corners in the league last season, 4th most with 106. Quarterbacks liked testing him deep, too, which resulted in five touchdowns allowed. Witherspoon led the team with three interceptions and 14 passes deflected.
Witherspoon’s Fit in the Grand Scheme
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The Rams do need help in the defensive backfield but by adding Williams and Kamren Curl it isn’t the priority. The Rams came into the free agency needing to add an edge rusher and will leave it with the same need, having missed out on the high-end and mid-tier free agents at the position. With the retirement of Aaron Donald, there is now also a glaring need along the interior of the defensive line. Before the retirement, they needed to add depth to the position, but now it has rocketed up to the most concerning lack on the roster.
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The Rams won’t be able to get him for the bargain basement price as they did last season, but he shouldn’t come with an outrageous cap hit. With a modest 1-year, $3 million deal, Witherspoon would add what the Rams need, although he is likely looking for a longer-term deal as he nears the end of his career.
