The Los Angeles Rams decided to lock up one of their best players on defense for another year by giving Lamarcus Joyner the franchise tag, the team announced Tuesday.
Why the Rams gave Lamarcus Joyner the franchise tag instead of Sammy Watkins
The Rams chose to keep their best safety over their best deep threat.
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams gave Joyner the non-exclusive franchise tag, which means he can negotiate with other teams. The Rams will have the opportunity to match any offer Joyner gets.
Joyner is the second defensive back to get the franchise tag from the Rams in the past three seasons, after Trumaine Johnson got it after the 2015 and 2016 seasons. They chose Joyner over Watkins for the tag, emphasizing a need to solidify the defense.
Why did the Rams give Joyner the franchise tag?
The Rams simply didn’t want to lose one of the best defensive backs in the game. The Rams were 13th in the NFL in pass defense and would be taking a step back if they let Joyner walk.
He was one of the best in coverage last season:
The Rams will likely be seeing Trumaine Johnson leaving in free agency. Losing him isn’t great new, but losing Joyner as well would be a devastating bow to their secondary.
In his first year as the Rams’ defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips moved Joyner from slot corner to free safety. Joyner answered the call, with 61 tackles, three interceptions (including a pick-six), seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 2017.
Joyner turned 27 this season, but hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He could be a veteran on that side of the football as the Rams try to build on a 2017 season that was a remarkable turnaround from a poor 2016.
It’s similar to the situation Trumaine Johnson was in last year.
Last offseason, the Rams opted to place the franchise tag on Johnson a second time because (like Joyner this year) they couldn’t afford to lose him.
They’ve lost three key members of their secondary since the end of the 2015 season — Rodney McLeod, Janoris Jenkins and T.J. McDonald — and could lose a fourth if Johnson doesn’t return. Joyner might be the best of them all.
Gonzalez also mentioned that franchising Joyner could mean that Sammy Watkins doesn’t come back, which was backed up by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
Watkins led the team in receiving touchdowns, but with an injury history, inconsistency, and good production from other weapons, Joyner was prioritized over him.
If they’re able to eventually lock Joyner up to a long-term deal, it might be worth it.
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