Rams sign entire draft class for 2015

For the third consecutive year the St. Louis Rams have signed their entire draft class with one swipe of the pen. Friday saw all eight remaining picks come to terms on their rookie deals in preparation of training camp in a few weeks. This includes Todd Gurley, Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown, Sean Mannion, Andrew Donnal, Cody Wichmann, Bryce Hagger and Martin Ifedi. Wide receiver Bud Sasser was not included as he had previously signed his rookie deal, but was ultimately released after a physical revealed a heart condition that wouldn’t allow him to play.

With the new collective bargaining agreement, signing rookies isn’t much of a concern anymore. The rookie salary is all based on the slot the player is drafted. Higher up the board = more money. However head coach Jeff Fisher likes to work with his rookies prior to signing big money deals and put them through an off  field education.

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Typically this a crash course in how to become a pro player. It may include classes on finances, real-estate, guest speakers and the temptations that come with the lifestyle. Fisher also uses this time as an opportunity to introduce the un-drafted free agents to the new draft crop.

Since Fisher has taken over the helm in St. Louis, the team has made a habit out of signing the vast majority, or all of their picks in one day. Last year saw the same results on almost the exact same day, as did 2013. A couple other teams have recently closed the books on their rookie class including the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both within the last four weeks.

The Rams are eight weeks away form the start of the preseason when they will travel to Oakland to play the Raiders. They will also play the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs in that order. St. Louis will look to avoid yet another slow start under Fisher as they open the season on Sunday, September 13th against the division rival Seattle Seahawks. In the last five season the Rams have completed the first five weeks of the season with a record above .500 only once. That came in 2012 with a record of 3-2.