Rams' Desjuan Johnson Has Embraced New Role With Gusto

WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. After spending most of the season as an inactive player, Los Angeles Rams defender Desjuan Johnson made his season debut last week and after being used in a new way, he could see more opportunities sent his way as his team enters a crucial portion of the season.

The Movement of Defenders

The Rams have specialized in creating versatile defenders who are able to take on a variety of roles and while that process has been most prevalent in the defensive secondary, with the usage of dime-backers and hybrid safeties, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula has added elements of said creativity to the line of scrimmage.

The Michael Hoecht role is the perfect example and Hoecht transformed from the inside as a defensive lineman to becoming an outside linebacker that was able to be deployed anywhere along side the line. Johnson has since become Shula's next success in transitioning players into roles better suited for them.

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball as Los Angeles Rams defensive end Desjuan Johnson (94) and Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) defend in the first half in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

“It depends on the week," stated Shula on Johnson's role. "We've always done, whether it's [Safety] ‘Tank’ [Jaylen McCollough], [Cornerback] Josh Wallace or guys like that where you can move them around, he's a guy that you can move around.

Depending on the matchup that week, we see him as a guy that could play D-line for us. He's obviously athletic enough to play on the edge, athletic enough to drop and do different things. He's a guy that has a really good skill set and you saw him get in there last week and get some action. He did a really good job.”

Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Backing of McVay

On Friday, Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke about the overall growth of the outside linebacker room, making sure to mention Johnson and his transition by name. With Johnson being able to play on the outside, the Rams were able to bring Tutu Atwell back off injured reserve by sending Nick Hampton to the practice squad.

“I think natural growth in terms of when you have the right kinds of guys, that repetition becomes the mother of learning. They're being able to apply previous experiences the right way whether you're talking about [Outside Linebacker Jared] Verse, whether you're talking about [Outside Linebacker] ‘BY’ [Byron Young].

I've seen [Outside Linebacker] Josaiah Stewart continue to improve. It was really cool to see [Outside Linebacker] ‘Des’ [Desjuan] Johnson, a guy that had transitioned from playing inside the last few years earning a role on the outside and really making a positive impact on the game last week."

"[Outside Linebackers Coach] Joe [Coniglio] does such a good job of being able to lean in. I think they're also having an understanding of, we talk about 11 as one all the time, but where are those play opportunities on any given snap?

This might be an opportunity to set somebody else up in a rush pattern. In a defensive structure, can you be a little bit more aggressive because somebody can clean it up on the second or third levels? I'm just seeing guys understand, how do I play my role to the best of my ability, but also understand the concepts and the different things that I can anticipate? Not necessarily guess, but anticipate to be able to make my impact for our group as a collective. That's what I've seen those guys do a great job of.”

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