Free agency started in March but the Los Angeles Rams didn’t sign a single player from another team until May when they inked Brett Rypien. They more or less sat out free agency this spring, opting not to make any notable additions until the summer months.
That’s when they made a handful of moves, bringing in some proven veterans to compete with their young players. Among them? Ahkello Witherspoon and Demarcus Robinson.
Neither signing made the Rams Super Bowl contenders or even a playoff team, but in the early portion of camp, both Witherspoon and Robinson have made a positive impact. They could prove to be pivotal additions to the roster if they continue on their current trajectory, which may end with both players starting in Week 1.
Robinson has been one of the stars of Rams camp, according to reports out of UC Irvine. Seemingly every day in practice, he’s made a highlight-reel grab. He’s gotten opportunities with the starters and is battling to be the Rams’ No. 3 receiver, though he’s facing a lot of competition from the likes of Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek and Tyler Johnson.
Sean McVay has been impressed by the play of Robinson through the first week of camp, noting his confidence and aggressiveness in practice.
“It’s not too big for him. There’s been a lot of opportunities where he’s kind of been the primary on some of these things and he’s just got a good look in his eye. I mean, he’s got a good swagger,” he said. “You can just see the way that he even just moves around the field, he’s got confidence. You like those guys that want the ball. You can feel, he’s got that nice kind of edge where he is not afraid to go or do anything other than go attack an opportunity to make a play. If it doesn’t go his way, he’s like, ‘I can’t wait for that next opp.’ That’s the mindset you want to have on this team as a whole and I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Demarcus.”
Makin' plays at #RamsCamp. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ynZLNiRGzP
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 27, 2023
Robinson is looking like more than just a camp body, which is what some people thought he’d be when he was signed. He was the Ravens’ leading wideout last season and also had two seasons with 400-plus yards with the Chiefs, having started a total of 47 games in his career. So he knows what it takes to carve out a meaningful role in an offense.
As for Witherspoon, he brings two key things to the secondary: size and experience. The Rams’ cornerback group is on the smaller side and also one of the least experienced units on the roster. Before Witherspoon arrived, they were counting on Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick and possibly Robert Rochell to be the three starters.
Durant and Kendrick could still be starters, but there’s little doubt Witherspoon has leapfrogged Rochell already – even despite injuring his thumb and undergoing surgery. Witherspoon gives the Rams a proven cornerback in the secondary, someone who’s played a lot of football in the NFL and started 40 games.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris can tell he’s an experienced veteran based on the calm demeanor he plays with, having been in these situations before.
“What he’s brought so far that I’ve noticed right away is his calm, cool demeanor and his willingness to learn, his willingness to gather information and to be able to go out here and just to even practice within the short time that he’s been here, I think it’s just a credit to him,” Morris said last week. “So, he’s brought that right now and it’s really early. He’s looked good, he’s done some really good things. Hopefully, continue to be able to get some opportunities for him and go out there and compete and just find out who’s the best three? Who’s the best two? Who’s the best four, whatever the case may be? Who those guys are.”
In his first practice following thumb surgery on Monday, Witherspoon broke up a pass intended for Tyler Higbee, knocking it away to prevent the completion. He’s continuing to practice and compete with a cast on his left hand, doing everything he can to secure a spot in the starting lineup.
His availability is particularly helpful right now because Kendrick is sidelined with a hamstring injury, so the Rams are missing him at the moment. That gives Witherspoon even more opportunities to show what he can do, a positive development for him in the next week or so.
The Rams may not have landed any marquee free agents this offseason like they have in years past, but the additions of Witherspoon and Robinson could prove to be much more impactful than first expected. And according to Over The Cap, neither player will cost the Rams even $1 million; their cap hits are each $940,000.
Don’t expect either player to make the Pro Bowl this year or completely transform the roster, but Los Angeles seems to have found two good values with Robinson and Witherspoon.
