Los Angeles Rams Defensive Back Quentin Lake Discusses Jalen Ramsey's Physicality, Impact

The Los Angeles Rams, for better or worse, have faced the consequences of an all-in Super Bowl strategy with an influx of young players. In turn, they’ve pivoted to a bit of a rebuild and must bear the brunt of inexperience and the non-linear process of developing young talent.

This is especially true for a defense who, outside of defensive lineman Aaron Donald, remained nameless to the average football fan. Few veterans found themselves atop the depth chart and even fewer have proven much at the NFL level.

Despite the offense’s struggles in recent weeks, some younger defenders have shown promise. Second-year defensive back Quentin Lake has had his best two weeks of the season in Week 8 and Week 9, giving Los Angeles some promise in its secondary.

Perhaps that change is a result of moving to a role more suited to his skill set. After spending most of his time as depth, making plays on special teams, and filling in at safety, he’s found a new home. Lake has spent 28 and 30 snaps, respectively, at slot corner—the two highest totals of the season.

This week, he spoke with J.B. Long about playing in the slot and how he modeled his game after former teammate and current Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

“I would just say his physicality,” Lake said. “Jalen … you can’t even put him into any type of category, he is one-of-one. But I think the thing that stuck out the most to me in his game, from his star or nickel position, is his physicality. He is a very, very physical player.”

Playing inside generally demands a willingness to get one’s hands dirty, at least more than on the boundary. Closer to the ball means a higher likelihood of being involved in the run fit and attempting to make plays over the middle of the field.

Lake has done his best to embody that style of play, generating a combined nine tackles in that two-week span (without any whiffs). He also added a pass breakup to his record in Week 8.

“That’s the one thing from his game, obviously there are so many things you can pick from, but his physicality was just super dominant,” Lake said.

Ramsey was unafraid of playing hard-nosed football, no matter the situation. Whether he was making opposing receivers’ lives difficult, annoying tight ends, or taking on blockers, he played with an edge that Los Angeles relied on heavily.

As Lake develops in coverage, anticipate the physicality that Ramsey rubbed off on him, along with his special teams' experiences, to stick with him and his style of play.

He and the Rams will get their next opportunity to return to the win column in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.