When the Los Angeles Rams signed veteran cornerback Darious Williams, there was a sense of famliarity between the team and player. Williams was a star of LA’s Super Bowl season in 2021, the counterpart to All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Williams got a lot of work that year, but he played so well that he signed a huge contract to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022.
The Los Angeles defense is playing at an elite level right now. Still, it’s unclear whether this is the best that it will ever be this season, or if there is room to grow to become even better. The reason for that uncertainty comes from the hodgepodge of defensive backs who comprise the secondary, and how they are deployed in base, nickel, and dime packages.
That puts general manager Les Snead into a bit of a conundrum. Should he execute a deal by the Nov. 4 trade deadline, or should he stand pat with his on-roster options. Williams’ ascent this season might suggest the latter.
Statistically, he is on fire in 2025. The Rams have managed to find the right balance in the rotation between Williams, Cobie Durant, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
How good is Williams? He has allowed just 37.5 percent of passes targeting his receiver to find their target. And his pass breakups (seven) already tie his 2024 season mark.
In essence, he is a star on LA’s defense.
Darious Williams might derail Les Snead’s trade deadline plan
Williams is showing up when the Rams need him the most. After the injury to starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, the secondary seemed to hiccup a bit as players had to redefine their roles, workloads, and importance on the team. Williams was struggling as much as anyone.
LA’s patience for players in 2025 is a bit shorter-fused. With postseason competition as the baseline, struggling players soon find themselves named as weak links who need to be replaced. DWill gets that and made it a point to turn his season around. He may have overshot the mark a bit..
This is a team that was heavily involved with offseason trade rumors over Ramsey. Snead wanted to ensure the secondary was loaded for a challenging 2025 season. While no reinformcements arrived during the season, it appears the combination of a relentless pass rush with pesky defensive backs could be enough.
Los Angeles’ pass defense is ranked 13th in terms of yards allowed per game (208.3) but eighth in terms of touchdown passes allowed (eight). Best of all, the Rams’ pass rush (28 sacks) is ranked second in the NFL through seven weeks.
Williams is not particularly physical. But in this defense, he needn’t be. He simply has to harass the receivers and deflect passes, and he is doing that at a phenomenal pace.
Will Snead look for secondary help at the trade deadline? That may no longer be on his shopping list.
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