Decobie Durant

[oldnotdead]

Everyone is talking up Troy Hill as the presumptive starter at nickel. He struggled to break the starting lineup with Cleveland. He only started 4 games and wasn't particularly good. IMO the Rams brought him in as insurance nothing more. David Long will play before Hill will.

I think Durant will be given every opportunity to be the #3 CB. He has the speed, length and athleticism to play both inside and outside giving Morris options on how to use Ramsey. I see Durant as David Long's replacement next year. Unless Long has a breakout season I think he is a comp pick waiting to happen.

I don't think Morris is as shy about playing rookies as Staley and Phillips were. He played Robert Rochell who on paper was far rawer than Durant. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Durant was the presumptive #3 CB by the end of the season. I really like Durant and look at him and see that between him and Rochell the Rams could be well served for years by these two.

Like most rookies I see him gaining 10-15 lbs in the weight room. His flaws are technique related and are very correctable with good coaching. After another year for Rochell and a year to develop for Durant, this looks like a very good secondary next year.

Everyone thinks it's the hired guns that drive this team. But Snead's drafts are what allow it to happen. They ignore the homegrown talent like Kupp, Higbee, Brian Allen, Noteboom, AD, Gaines, Fuller, Rapp, Scott, and now Rochell, Bruss, and probably Durant. These guys make the fuck them picks work. This is why I don't see doom and gloom when AD retires. No question AD makes this roster elite. But even without him, this is an extremely talented roster on both sides of the ball.

 

[Faceplant]

Ramsey has allegedly taken him under his wing as well, which has to be a good sign. I liked Durant and Lake's interview on The Pivot. Durant definitely has dog in him.

 

[ozarkram]

Who is this everyone? The bastid seems quite opinionated. Lets find him and beat the crap out of him.

 

[fanotodd]

Big difference between Durant’s situation going into week 1 vs Long, Hill, and Rochelle vs the end of the season.
That is to say, Hill was brought in for a reason. Rochelle and Long have true nfl snaps under their belt, including post season. Durant has to come out of the gate fast to even sniff a starting role. Quality PT might come as the season progresses (or injuries ensue), but the Rams are not desperate at CB; they are trying to repeat while looking ahead (roster-wise).

IOW, rookies will not be thrown out on the field because they MIGHT be good SOMEDAY. They’ll play when they ARE good.

 

[oldnotdead]

Hill's contract is a placeholder deal nothing more. He's not a starting quality CB. Did you see him play in Cleveland? It wasn't good. By the end of TC I think Long and Durant will be ahead of him on the depth chart. Durant has the speed and athleticism lacking in both Long and Hill. David Long is in a contract year. IMO drafting Durant was aimed right at him. As such I expect Long to start the season as #3 but I would be surprised if he finishes there. They would want Durant to have some actual game experience before taking over from Long next year.

This is similar to Rapp and Lake. Lake is faster and more athletic than Rapp and I see him taking Rapp's spot next year. Nick Scott is a FA next year as well. There is no guarantee they can keep him. That IMO is why they drafted, Yeast who I expect will get a red shirt year this season. Yeast is a solid late round prospect with average speed for a safety. He needs work on his tackling and technique but should be at least a good rotational player in 2023.

 

[dpjax]

New Pivot Podcast video I saw posted on the Rams site.

Rams Rookies Quentin Lake & Decobie Durant detail the highs & lows of Draft day | The Pivot Podcast

Los Angeles Rams rookies Quentin Lake & Decobie Durant describe what it's like to join the defending Super Bowl champions, detail the highs & lows of their draft days, and discuss their college football backgrounds. Listen to The Pivot Podcast:

www.therams.com

 

[Faceplant]

Yeah, that one's been out for a bit. Good stuff though. The Pivot is worth subscribing to on YT. They do a LOT of great interviews, including a lot with our Rams.

 

[BonifayRam]

Cobie Durant records 2nd-fastest play in Week 16 on pick-six​

• Skyler Carlin
  Tue, December 27, 2022

Cobie Durant records 2nd-fastest play in Week 16 on pick-six

Cobie Durant recorded the 2nd-fastest play in Week 16 on his 85-yard pick-six against the Broncos.

sports.yahoo.com

Cobie Durant had a remarkable performance for the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16 versus the Denver Broncos and he showed off his speed on one of his interceptions. According to Next Gen Stats, Durant had the second-fastest play in Week 16, clocking in at 21.5 mph on his 85-yard pick-six.

The only player to have a faster play in Week 16 was Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins, who clocked in at 21.68 mph on an 84-yard touchdown reception. On the season, Durant now owns the ninth-fastest play in the NFL.

Tutu Atwell previously had the fastest play for a player on the Rams this season on a 54-yard reception from Matthew Stafford in Week 5. The second-year wideout reached 21.46 mph on his long reception.

The rookie cornerback for the Rams would finish Sunday’s blowout win over the Broncos with two pass breakups and two interceptions that would result in 100 yards and a touchdown. As a result of his stellar outing, Durant led all players on the Rams in PFF grade in Week 16.

Even though Durant struggled with injuries earlier in the season, it’s clear that he’ll continue to get more playing time down the stretch due to his playmaking ability and speed at the cornerback position.

Cobie Durant records 2nd-fastest play in Week 16 on pick-six

Cobie Durant recorded the 2nd-fastest play in Week 16 on his 85-yard pick-six against the Broncos.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[BonifayRam]

• Rams PFF grade​

  
  
• Cobie Durant: 94.7

Durant isn’t just the Rams’ highest-graded player of the week. He’s the highest-graded defender in the NFL for Week 16.

Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Broncos in Week 16

Cobie Durant is the NFL’s highest-graded defender in Week 16, and Bobby Wagner isn’t far behind

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Flatlyner]

I guess we were all correct when asking why in the world the Rams were still trotting out the walking completion Kendrick, and keeping Durant on the bench.

 

[OntarioRam]

Troy Hill can tackle and, when schemed appropriately, is often seen really flying around out there. I am not sure if Durant can tackle yet. I haven't seen enough of him. Maybe someone that scouts the college level can opine. The jury is out for me. But I think many are too quick to write Troy Hill off. He's a useful piece and I am glad he is back in horns.

If Durant can tackle, that will be a huge for this defence going forward. If not, well, we will need a larger sample size than 1 game vs. Wilson and the hapless Broncos offense to conclude he is worth soft secondary play. I am not a fan of CBs that avoid contact. Not to take anything away from Durant. He was excellent this past week, and it makes you question why Kendrick was starting over him.

The backups appearing better than the starters when they finally get a chance is far too common on this roster. Not sure what Morris and McVay are watching in practice. I know some players are not "practice players" but come on...

It's great to see the Rams games down the stretch being fun to watch, despite the season being over.

 

[BonifayRam]

Soon to be 32 yr old Veteran Troy Hill might be all these things however it will be for only 2 more games. Hill will be a UFA is 2023.

Troy Hill

Troy Hill contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Durant is under contract for 3 more seasons after 2022.

I would project the 2023 Corner unit will look something like this:
Jalen Ramsey
Robert Rochell
Decobie Durant
Derion Kendrick
Shaun Jolly

 

[Kupped]

Soon to be 32 yr old Veteran Troy Hill might be all these things however it will be for only 2 more games. Hill will be a UFA is 2023.

Troy Hill

Troy Hill contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Durant is under contract for 3 more seasons after 2022.

I would project the 2023 Corner unit will look something like this:
Jalen Ramsey
Robert Rochell
Decobie Durant
Derion Kendrick
Shaun Jolly

You left off Grant Haley who, in my opinion, was playing great all around football before being hurt. He seems to be a candidate for the Troy Hill role, imo. He was physical in the run game and played well in coverage.

The Rams MUST bring in more talent here.. especially if Rochell isn't developing.

 

[PressureD41]

I was a big fan of drafting RR31 but honestly what has he shown so far as a Ram?

Edit:
Great call on Grant. He looks the part of the secondary solution moving fwd imho also

 

[Riverumbbq]

Soon to be 32 yr old Veteran Troy Hill might be all these things however it will be for only 2 more games. Hill will be a UFA is 2023.

Troy Hill

Troy Hill contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Durant is under contract for 3 more seasons after 2022.

I would project the 2023 Corner unit will look something like this:
Jalen Ramsey
Robert Rochell
Decobie Durant
Derion Kendrick
Shaun Jolly

I might add Grant Haley & a 2023 mid-round draft pick to your list. Haley is also a free agent, but he'll be a cheaper re-sign than the aging Hill who will be looking for his final contract money. Haley, imo, earned his strips before hitting IR. jmo.

 

[Merlin]

He's going to be a shutdown corner for us. They have to work on his tackling but honestly when a corner has stickiness and ball skills he earns his keep in this league.

Also and btw it's a big deal if you can hit on a corner in this league. I don't think Durant is a finished product by any means just yet but his ball skills show every game. Do you realize this dude leads the Rams in INTs? This is after he got one game early on (in which he got an INT) then had the hammy and wasn't really given opportunity until late and his impact on the field is profound.

Straight player. Rejoice ye faithful.

 

[Kupped]

He's going to be a shutdown corner for us. They have to work on his tackling but honestly when a corner has stickiness and ball skills he earns his keep in this league.

Also and btw it's a big deal if you can hit on a corner in this league. I don't think Durant is a finished product by any means just yet but his ball skills show every game. Do you realize this dude leads the Rams in INTs? This is after he got one game early on (in which he got an INT) then had the hammy and wasn't really given opportunity until late and his impact on the field is profound.

Straight player. Rejoice ye faithful.

He's got to get the tackling straight.. he's a flat-out liability on that front. I wonder if he could handle putting on 10lbs and not losing too much quickness.

Excellent ball skills... reminds me of Darious Williams in that respect.. and both were undersized. But Williams is significantly more physical... and that's quite a statement.

 

[Snaz]

I'd trade the lack of tackling for the % chance for the turnover...

I mean we already have horrible tackling everywhere except Ramsey, right?

 

[Kupped]

I'd trade the lack of tackling for the % chance for the turnover...

I mean we already have horrible tackling everywhere except Ramsey, right?

I don't think it's that simple, but, damn.. he makes some plays!!!

I just think that against teams that actually run the ball (umm.. hello 9ers) and have physical wideouts (did I mention.. 9ers?) that he's going to have big, big problems. We saw Deebo run right through Williams and other Rams DBs... do we want more of that?

I mean.. he needs to be on the field on passing downs, for sure. I just don't know that he's an outside starter in a base defense.

 

[BonifayRam]

I studied the 27 yr old corner Grant Haley there at the end but he is a UFA & he can easily go anywhere he wants to the highest bidder $$$$.

So I am of the opinion he is highly questionable as to his return.

But I would agree with you guys Grant Haley played very well early before injury.