St. Louis Rams: Ranking the Rams' Corners, Worst to First

The St. Louis Rams secondary saw its fair share of injuries in 2011, as the team went through something like 118 different corners. Of course, I'm exaggerating, but only by just a little bit. The Rams needed help at this position, and they got it. The front office spent heavily in free agency and in the draft.

The Rams secondary is arguably the most improved area of the roster heading into the 2012 season.

Earlier this week, I gave you my take on the group of wide receivers the Rams have assembled. Today, I'm going to rank the Rams' corners in the same order, from worst to first.

8. Jeremy Caldwell

Coming out of tiny Eastern Kentucky University, Caldwell will need a lot of things to go right to make the final roster. A more realistic goal would be to make the practice squad. From there, maybe he could catch somebody's attention and make an NFL roster in the future.

7. Kendric Burney

He is trying to earn a promotion from the practice squad. The second-year man out of North Carolina has a tough row to hoe, as there are several very talented players in front of him on the depth chart.

6. Jerome Murphy

After being a third-round pick (No. 65 overall) in 2010, Murphy was a valuable player as a rookie. Then 2011 came, and like so many other Rams corners, he got hurt.

Murphy is talented. The problem is, there are a lot of talented players on this roster. Murphy is a big, physical player (6'0", 200 pounds) for a corner. He is a terrific athlete. If he is healthy, he will make the roster. However, Murphy is going to have to play really well to get on the field.

5. Josh Gordy

Quick—who led the Rams in interceptions last season? Josh Gordy did, with three interceptions. He got an opportunity because of all the injuries, and he played well. With more talented players around him, and a fierce pass rush in front of him, Gordy could help the Rams again in 2012. He is going to have to fight to get onto the field, but Gordy will make the roster.

4. Trumaine Johnson

The Rams have the luxury of moving this athletic player all over the field. At 6'2", 204 pounds, he has the speed and instincts to be a ball-hawking corner, or the size and strength to be a hybrid "cover safety" that matches up with athletic tight ends (see: Davis, Vernon).

I think Johnson will be like a secret weapon; a jack of all trades tool in Jeff Fisher's tool box. The Rams drafted Johnson near the top of the third round of the draft, and I expect them to get a lot of bang for their buck with this draft pick.

3. Bradley Fletcher

After making 15 starts in 2010, and making four interceptions, Fletcher is one of the many Rams corners trying to come back from a 2011 injury. There are so many questions surrounding Fletcher. Is he still the same player he was before he was hurt? Even if he is, can he adjust to a new role, perhaps as a slot cover corner, or a nickel back?

If Fletcher can play at a high level, he has the talent to really impact games. He could absolutely shut down the third or fourth receiver on the opposing team.

2. Janoris Jenkins

This kid is going to be a star. The Rams rolled the dice, picking Jenkins with the No. 39 overall pick in the NFL draft. He has shut down potential, and if he plays up to the sky-high expectations Rams fans have for him, then the Rams' secondary could be one of the best in the NFL.

1. Cortland Finnegan

Arguably the Rams' biggest free agent acquisition, Finnegan will probably draw every opposing No. 1 receiver on the Rams' schedule. Finnegan is tough, physical and hard-nosed. He's exactly what the Rams need, and he's exactly the kind of mentor for the other young corners on the roster right now. If Finnegan and Jenkins play like they are capable of playing, then the Rams defense will go to another level.