St. Louis Rams Closing Evaluations: What Grades Do the Cornerbacks Receive?

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

E.J. Gaines: He may not have been the flashiest, but E.J. Gaines was probably the Rams’ most consistent player during 2014. The rookie sixth-rounder, who earned a starting job thanks to Trumaine Johnson’s preseason injury, fully seized the opportunity and became the Rams’ clear number one corner in short order.

Gaines, who played 964 snaps from scrimmage, led all Rams cornerbacks with 70 tackles. He led the entire team with 15 pass breakups, and he had two interceptions. Most importantly, though, the rookie was extremely reliable in coverage. He allowed just 67.1 percent of the passes thrown into his coverage to be completed, which was the best rate of any Rams corner. While you must take it for what it’s worth, it should be noted that Gaines received a 2.4 coverage rating from Pro Football Focus, which was the only positive coverage grade awarded to any Rams corner.

While his season was disappointingly ended one game early due to a concussion, Gaines will be expected to come back next season as the Rams’ top cornerback. It’s important that he doesn’t experience the sophomore drop-off that recent rookie sensation Janoris Jenkins did, but if Gaines can keep up the same performance that he put forth during his first season, he’ll be the most reliable corner that the Rams have had in a long time.

GRADE: A

Next: Janoris Jenkins