I've spent plenty of time in the offseason discussing how important it was for the Los Angeles Rams to add a veteran to their safety room. They signed John Johnson III yesterday to bring a veteran leader to their secondary.
This signing has sparked debate on who this impacts in the secondary, with some speculation on this impacting rookie Kamren Kinchens or Quentin Lake. For my money, neither of these players is largely impacted.
If anyone is, it's Russ Yeast.
Part of my reasoning behind why I believed the Rams needed a veteran safety was so that they didn't have to start Yeast. Faced between starting a struggling player who has made little impact or a rookie at safety in such a complex defense is a decision nobody wants to have to face. Signing a vet in JJ3 gives them some insurance at that spot. The Rams know they can at least rely on a solid, albeit perhaps unspectacular, veteran familiar with the scheme.
Only three safeties in the Rams have posted over 100 snaps over the last two seasons, and it feels like the Rams have their three in Johnson, Kinchens, and free-agent signee Kamren Curl.
Where does this leave Yeast? There was a report that came out during OTAs that the Rams were trying him and Derion Kendrick out at their STAR position. This felt like the Rams trying to find a spot for either player to argue to stay on the roster more than them being serious contenders with Lake for that spot.
He at least has some experience, so there is some value in keeping him. However, it does feel like he will have to prove he can stand out on special teams to have a roster spot. With Johnson now in the fold, Yeast feels like a candidate to be on the outs when it comes time for the Rams to finalize their 53-man roster.
