Why Jaylen Watson was the Rams' key signing of the offseason

When the Los Angeles Rams made the decision to add Jaylen Watson to their secondary, they acquired the one piece that their defense was in desperate need of: a big-body corner who is able to effortlessly replace Ahkello Witherspoon's workload, while being able to cover receivers one-on-one, control the outside against the run, and blitz the passer.

Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula loves aggressive football. He had his rules and tendencies, with his outlook being shaped by the former defensive coordinators he's worked under in Los Angeles. But he has his style, and his defense peaked when he was allowed to control the pen.

In 2025, Shula was excellent early. Injuries played a massive factor in the second-half slump of the defense, as well as weaknesses with their personnel that were exploited by the opposition. The Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers proved the Rams were no match for taller receivers, thus Watson helps fill that need.

But it's the other elements. Being able to bring pressure from different angles, being able to sink a safety into the box because Shula knows his outside corners will answer the call, having players who are bought into the system, with the skills to execute. Watson brings all that to life.

However, what will make Watson great in 2026 isn't the scheme or his teammates. It's timing. The only way to beat Shula's scheme, unless you have a generational running back, is to attack the underneath early with the pass, to then force Shula into having a single-high safety. Whichever safety drops, whether it's Kam Curl or , they would often have to be reactionary, messing up the timing of their attack. There were fears that the outside would get beaten to the punch for receivers coming inside, allowing a seam for players to advance the ball upfield.