Jordan

Fuller

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is worth “up to” $5.25 million. Fuller started all 17 games for the Rams last year. He broke up eight passes stole three interceptions, and forced three fumbles. Fuller was a key contributor on a Rams defense that beat expectations in 2023. He should take over a starting role for the Panthers this year.

Fuller re-aggravated a hamstring injury that caused him to miss Week 3 and will now miss a minimum of four games on the league’s injured reserve. The Rams had been mixing in above average Cover-3 defensive alignments while Fuller was healthy, leading the league through four weeks in percentage of defensive snaps to come from zone coverage schemes. The injury could force increased rates of Cover-2 or man coverage in the immediate future.

Fuller wasn’t active for Week 3 before playing 74% of the defensive snaps in Week 4. His absence will cut into the Rams three-safety looks with Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott. This is technically a re-aggravation since Fuller missed time with the same injury earlier this year.

Coach Sean McVay said Fuller may need surgery. The second-year safety is the Rams’ defensive play-caller on the field, wearing the green dot. In his absence against the Niners, Jalen Ramsey sported the dot. It might not have been a coincidence that L.A. blew a 17-point lead with Fuller out. He’s Pro Football Focus’ No. 20 safety this season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Higbee and S Jordan Fuller -- who was also removed from the COVID list Friday -- are expected to play this week against the Vikings. Among the least efficient tight ends in recent memory, Higbee has run the sixth most tight end pass routes despite missing Week 15 on the COVID-19 list. He’s barely usable in the Rams offense as the team’s fourth or fifth pass-catching option. He’ll be a touchdown-dependent TE2 against Minnesota.

The No. 199 overall pick of the draft, Fuller played every snap in the Rams’ Week 5 win over Washington, though he managed to aggravate a right shoulder issue that limited/sidelined him in Weeks 3 and 4. It’s also being described as a neck issue, one the team is hopeful will require the minimum I.R. stint. The rookie has been providing quality snaps at free safety. With Fuller now sidelined for at least three weeks, the Rams will need Taylor Rapp to step up alongside John Johnson.

Fuller (6’2/202) was a captain and three-year starting single-high safety at Ohio State who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior. He’s as experienced as anyone in the class and comes ready to contribute as a rookie, but his 16th percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism (4.67 forty) and reserved playing style limit his ceiling in the NFL. A noted hard worker with excellent off-the-field qualities, Fuller may have a nice NFL career on special teams and as a backup safety. He is a reliable tackler and won’t make many incorrect reads as a deep safety.

Fuller (6’2/202) was a captain and three-year starting single-high safety at Ohio State who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior. He’s as experienced as anyone in the class and comes ready to contribute as a rookie, but his 16th percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism (4.67 forty) and reserved playing style limit his ceiling in the NFL. A noted hard worker with excellent off-the-field qualities, Fuller may have a nice NFL career on special teams and as a backup safety. He is a reliable tackler and won’t make many incorrect reads as a deep safety.

Fuller (6'2/203) will have some questions to answer regarding his potential fit at the next level, with Zierlein questioning if he has the range needed to operate as a single-high safety in the NFL. As is the case for many players fit will be critical when it comes to assessing the former Buckeye’s chances of sticking as a pro. “He doesn’t lack football intelligence or toughness, but the traits and instincts fail to stand out,” Zierlein wrote in his analysis. “Fuller could compete for a backup role as a split-safety with the potential to match up with tight ends.” Fuller is a name to keep in mind in Round 3 of April’s draft.

Fuller’s time in the 40-yard dash is the third slowest among safeties. His jumps were better, as the 6-foot, 203-pound safety jumped 35 inches in the vertical and 122 inches in the broad jump. Fuller was considered a “box safety” coming into the event(s), and he likely leaves Indianapolis with the same thoughts.