Report: Lamarcus Joyner Could Split Time Between Corner and Safety

When the Rams drafted Lamarcus Joyner in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. there were questions as to whether he would play in the slot or as a safety. Now, it seems, he could playing both.

According to ESPN’s Los Angeles Rams beat reporter Alden Gonzalez, there is a real possibility that the Rams could rotate Joyner from slot corner to free safety during games.

Lamarcus Joyner, who solidified himself as a standout slot corner last year, is a real option to convert to free safety, with Maurice Alexander shifting over to strong safety to replace free agent T.J. McDonald. Under that scenario, Joyner could play safety when the Rams run a 3-4 set under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, then perhaps reclaim his role as a slot corner on nickel downs.

This move would be an interesting one for Joyner, whom I scouted prior to the draft that year, and thought that he would make for an ideal zone slot corner that can play safety at times.

With the issues of improving the worst offense in the league without a first round pick, it’s going to be impossible to patch up all of the holes on the roster in this draft. This move wouldn’t mean that the Rams won’t address the secondary in the draft, but it could prevent the need of starting a rookie early.