LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Rams, desperate for youth and depth in their secondary, signed another cornerback on Friday, coming to terms with former USC standout Nickell Robey-Coleman.
The Robey-Coleman signing comes nearly four weeks after the Rams signed former Broncos backup Kayvon Webster, who is expected to compete with E.J. Gaines for a starting spot on the outside. Trumaine Johnson, the Rams' primary corner, is set to play the 2017 season on his second franchise tag, which will pay him $16.74 million.
Robey-Coleman joined the Bills in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of USC, teaming with the Rams' newest receiver, Robert Woods, at both stops. Robey-Coleman hasn't missed a game to injury in his four-year career and has started 15 times, with 29 passes defended, five sacks and three interceptions. Two of those interceptions came against the Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this past season, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Robey-Coleman goes by the Twitter handle @SLOTGOD21, indicative of his strengths as a slot corner. His presence could prompt Lamarcus Joyner to make a transition to free safety full time this season. Joyner, who has excelled as a slot corner over the last two years, was seen as a candidate to play free safety in 3-4 sets and move back to his role as a slot corner in nickel packages. But the latter might not be the case any longer.
Robey-Coleman allowed a passer rating of 74.86 in the slot last year, which ranked second among slot corners, according to Pro Football Focus.
