EJ Gaines Ready to Start for the St. Louis Rams

Rookie EJ Gaines quietly had one of the better preseasons of any Rams player. Gaines played in all four games, starting Thursday night, and was able to make ten total tackles and adding an interception.

Gaines proved himself to be a physical corner with good coverage skills and equally good hands. That one interception came during Thursday’s preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins, a game that gave Gaines another chance to shine while other cornerbacks missed time with injuries.

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With Trumaine Johnson expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL, the second cornerback position is up for grabs. Gaines is expected to battle for the starting spot with Brandon McGee, but McGee missed practice all week and Thursday’s game with an ankle injury.McGee played in 15 games as a rookie a year ago and may have the upper hand on the starting position, but Gaines didn’t let that affect his game on Thursday.

Gaines came into this year’s draft with the hype of possibly being a third round pick, but instead fell to day three and the sixth round, where the Rams made him the 188th overall pick. Gaines most likely fell because of a pelvis injury and his medical exclusion from the draft combine, but seems to be a steal early on with the Rams.

Gaines starred at the University of Missouri, where he started and lead the Tiger secondary three of his four seasons at Mizzou. At Mizzou, Gaines compiled eight career interceptions, including five in his senior season, and added an eleven yard fumble recovery and touchdown in the SEC championship game against Auburn.

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Gaines has continued his success during Rams camp and the preseason, but his most impressive trait has been his willingness to take on blockers and make tackles. At just 5’10 and 190 lbs., Gaines isn’t the largest corner in the world, but he proved time and time again this preseason that he likes to hit.The physicality of Gaines shouldn’t be all that surprising. During his time at Mizzou, Gaines recorded at least 69 tackles in all three seasons that he started.

The Rams should be happy with what they’ve seen so far from Gaines and excited about the much needed depth he’s added to a raw and inexperienced secondary. With the opening opposite Janoris Jenkins, Gaines should see optimal playing time, know matter if it comes as a starter or backup.