Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
For a second straight game, the Los Angeles Rams did not have star cornerback Trent McDuffie in Week 7 against the Raiders. Good thing they had their other ex-Chiefs corner, Jaylen Watson.
As he has for most of the season and especially since returning from his own shoulder injury, Watson looked every bit of a lockdown top option matched up with Las Vegas pass-catchers. Covering Brock Bowers is no easy task for any corner, but Watson held up just fine as the Rams collectively kept the Raiders' star tight end somewhat contained.
Notably, Watson finished with four passes defensed - nearly as many as the rest of the defense. His nine PDs on the year ties safety Quentin Lake for the team lead, and Watson has played one fewer game (and missed the whole second half in Week 3).
Just as McDuffie did when Watson sat out Week 4 against the Eagles, the latter held down the fort - more than that, he commanded it - with his teammate on the sidelines. McDuffie may still be the first name that comes to the casual fan's mind, but his counterpart has been more than just a sidekick in his own right.
Jaylen Watson has given the Rams more than just a CB2
Fittingly, McDuffie clocks in with Pro Football Focus' fifth-ranked cornerback grade, an 85.2, while Watson ranks seventh with an 81.7. Both have an interception, but after his Week 7 masterclass, Watson has surged ahead in the PD department. McDuffie has seven passes defensed in five games.
Stunningly, he allowed the Raiders just two catches on 10 targets, per NexGen Stats. Only one other player has matched his feat - two or fewer catches allowed plus PDs - this season. The name? You guessed it, McDuffie, in Week 2 against the Giants.
Watson has already blown past his previous best in PDs (six). He already has two tackles for loss, one shy of his career-high. Like McDuffie, Watson isn't just Saran-wrap sticky in coverage; he's also a physical run defender, earning PFF's 16-ranked run-defense grade at the position.
After receiving puzzlingly poor early-season marks, Watson's report card through Week 7 aligns more closely with what Rams fans have seen lately. PFF has charged Watson with just a 58.7 passer-rating allowed, on under 10 yards per reception, and his 90.7 overall grade against the Raiders led the Rams defense.
The way he's looked out there, who cares what his stats say? McDuffie and Watson are no CB1 and CB2, but rather a CB1-A and a CB1-B.
Whether McDuffie will be back in Week 8 against the Chargers is uncertain. Last week, head coach Sean McVay described McDuffie's groin injury in terms of day-to-day and wait-and-see before he was ultimately ruled out. McDuffie's absence won't be felt lightly, but if he remains sidelined, the Rams can rest assured that they won't want for a CB1.
Not to mention, Josh Wallace has been a more than capable No. 2. By PFF grade, he was LA's fourth-ranked defender in Week 7. Led by Watson, that's still a one-two punch to feel good about on the boundaries.