Los Angeles Rams: Five players with the most to prove in 2018

By Jason Reed | May 9, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Pharoh Cooper #10 of the Los Angeles Rams catches the ball on a punt return during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Rams /

3. LaMarcus Joyner, S

The Los Angeles Rams decided to slap the franchise tag on LaMarcus Joyner instead of Sammy Watkins, eventually leading to Watkins departure. This set the chains in motion that ultimately led to the Rams trading away the team’s first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Joyner must’ve been looked at as harder to replace than Watkins; hence the tag.

Joyner definitely is talented and it is understandable why the Rams would want to keep him from leaving in the offseason. Last season, Joyner had a combined 49 total tackles with three interceptions, one of which being a pick-six. Joyner also had nine pass deflections in his 12 games played.

However, no matter how good you are, Joyner is going to have to prove himself to warrant receiving the tag over Watkins.

Not only that, Watkins is one of the few old faces in a revamped Rams defense, in particular, a Rams secondary. With all of the new faces in the defense, Joyner is going to have to keep up and let his presence be known to convince the Rams to offer him an extension after the season.

There is no doubt that Joyner is going to have another good season if he can remain healthy. All he has to do is prove us right.

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