When the Los Angeles Rams selected CB David Long, Jr., from the University of the University of Michigan with the 79th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the reaction from Rams fans nearly universal celebration. Long is a LA native and fits both the short-term and long-term needs of the Rams.
I can’t help but get excited when reading about his style of play.
From NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his draft profile:
Death, taxes and David Long sitting under a receiver’s chin waiting to jam and bully the release – all three are inevitable. He lacks height, length and makeup burst, but it is hard to find tape where those areas came back to haunt him very often. He’s patient from press, stays connected to routes underneath, but may have to adjust to off-man and prove he can withstand vertical challenges against taller targets. He’s not as long, loose or fast as teams like, but he’s a consistent cover man with the talent to find reps early in his career.
Roster Battle
Long may challenge CB Troy Hill (roster preview) for some snaps, but he will be limited to rotating out occasionally in nickel packages and will likely see most of his snaps when the Rams field a dime package.
Expectations
Learn, learn, then learn some more. The Rams have a Hall of Fame-caliber safety in Eric Weddle and a pair of All-Pros to learn from in Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. Pick the vets’ brains and get ready, because there is a chance that all of those players will be gone next season.
Chances of making the final roster (9.99/10)
I normally save the ‘locks’ to make the roster for the superstars, but Long will be here. The Rams need certainty at CB for 2020 and beyond. Long provides that and will have an opportunity to learn from some of the games’ best as a rookie.