Joyner to FS?

jrry32, wrote:

Joyner’s skill-set allows him to be an above average slot CB. However, his weaknesses limit him from ever being great in that position. For the same reason that I’d rather have Marshall Faulk at HB than WR. Faulk would have been a good WR, but he was an elite HB. Joyner’s weaknesses are quite easy to mask at FS while his strengths are all magnified. Joyner was an above average slot CB despite never being a great player with his back to the ball and being a bit too grabby in man coverage. GW valued Joyner’s versatility as a slot corner greatly. It allowed him to use smaller, faster personnel because Joyner could play the run like an extra safety in the box. But he’s always been a much better fit at FS. He’s at his best attacking downhill and playing with his eyes to the QB. It’s a position where he has the ability to be very good. Considering that we have a hole at FS, I’d rather play Joyner at the position that maximizes his skill-set.

Our defense was among the best in the NFL each of the past two years at not allowing teams to convert third downs. I happen to think Joyner’s above average play is a big reason why considering that teams often look for their slot WRs on third downs. The Rams defense was fourth in 2016 (at 36.3%) and sixth in 2015 (at 34.7%) in the NFL in lowest third down conversion rate allowed

Tyrann Mathieu is just under 5’9″. He’s less than an inch taller than Joyner. He’s one of the NFL’s best safeties. It’s absolutely silly to say that being 5’9″ or 5’10” is fine at FS, but 5’8″ is too small? Those two inches mean nothing against a 6’5″ TE. Rodney McLeod was a small guy too. If you have the balls, strength, and instincts, you can play FS.

Joyner ran a 4.55 40. If he’s too slow to play safety, there are hell of a lot of good safeties in the NFL who were too slow to play their position. That Eric Weddle guy only ran a 4.56 40. Too slow to play safety despite being a five-time All Pro.