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Perfect Rams Free Agent Signing Still Available for Playoffs

Former All-Pro J.C. Jackson could be an ideal addition just before the postseason.

By Joe Summers

Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts after a play in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts after a play in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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The Rams have secured the NFC West and are now fully focused on winning another Super Bowl with the playoffs right around the corner, though they do have one area of weakness on defense that could still be addressed ahead of the postseason.

Former All-Pro CB J.C. Jackson is still a free agent, having not played since 2023. He's only 29 years old and started eight games for two teams last year, including a pair in Los Angeles for the Chargers, meaning he still could have some juice in the tank.

Considering the way the Rams' secondary has struggled against elite offenses, it'd be wise for the front office to seek potential upgrades wherever they might come from.

Rams Should Sign Former All-Pro CB J.C. Jackson for Playoffs

Jalen Ramsey was spectacular with the organization and at his peak, Jackson's stats compared favorably. In 2021, he was a Second-Team All-Pro after leading the league in deflected passes (23) while adding eight interceptions and holding opposing quarterbacks to a 46.3 passer rating in coverage.

He wore out his welcome with the Chargers and Patriots, seeing his effectiveness zapped by injuries, though he's had enough time to recover that he could be a valuable addition.

Los Angeles' top corners are Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon. They're serviceable but not spectacular, with Williams grading as the 121st cornerback out of 219 at Pro Football Focus and Witherspoon coming in as the 86th-best. Their backups aren't any better, so the Rams could use an extra body to serve as insurance.

Overall, Los Angeles is 24th in the NFL in opposing yards per pass play (6.9). That's not a figure that can truly compete in the playoffs, meaning the team needs to improve the passing defense quickly.

Perhaps Jackson impresses in practice and earns a contract extension too. The Rams will face ferocious passing attacks featuring some of the NFL's best receivers in the postseason. Their current cornerback group hasn't proven capable of locking up the top wideouts in the league, and Jackson at least has a history of success in that role.

Jackson likely wouldn't make a big impact on Los Angeles' hopes of winning a championship, though it's still worth signing him to find out.

The Rams currently have the ninth-best odds (+3500) at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the Super Bowl. That said, improving the secondary would go a long way in shortening that number.

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