LA Rams sign 9 to future contracts

The LA Rams announced today that the team has signed 9 players to reserve future contracts

The LA Rams are tidying up their roster for the 2020 season already. Stu Jackson at therams.com updated the team status today, announce the team has signed nine players to reserve future contracts.  All NFL teams are scurrying to sign players to reserve future contract this time of year.  In anticipation of summer organized team activities (OTAs), NFL teams sign players from their previous season’s practice squad to reserve future contracts.

NFL roster limits increase from 53 back to 90, and signing these players give the team a jump start to the full roster limit. The Rams will also be signing free agents, re-signing players to new contracts, drafting prospects, and finally signing undrafted free agents (UDFAs) to round out the 90 man squad.

The nine named players have all spent time on the Rams practice squad, so they may be familiar to you already. But in the event they are unfamiliar to you, or you need a refresher, we’ll give you a little background on each player.

Defensive back Adonis Alexander

6-foot-3 205 pound defensive back drafted by Washington Redskins in 2018. He is a versatile, able to line up as either cornerback or safety (think Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins). While he was signed late to 2019 practice squad, he will be competing for a role with a very talented defensive backfield this season.

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Defensive tackle Marquise Copeland

6-foot-2 287 pound defensive tackle Marquise Copeland was an undrafted free agent signing by the Rams. Optimistically projected to make 53-man roster at signing, Copeland could simply not crack the roster. He may find success in 2020.  With the Rams future uncertainty over retaining Michael Brockers, Copeland may be promoted with a good training camp.

Wide receiver Greg Dortch

5-foot-8 175 pound wide receiver Greg Dortch signed with the New York Jets as a UDFA. Eventually he landed on the Jets practice squad where we was signed onto the Carolina Panthers starting roster. When the Panthers waived him, the LA Rams signed him to their practice squad. He is blessed with quickness and speed, and in the absence of landing as a receiving option, could make the team as a return specialist this season.

Linebacker Jeff Holland

6-foot-2 249 pound outside linebacker Jeff Holland was a UDFA signing by the Denver Broncos in 2018, where he played in 3 games. He has since signed on with his fifth NFL team in two years. He has NFL experience, and the Rams face uncertainty over free agent Dante Fowler Jr. returning to the team

Guard Jeremiah Kolone

6-foot-3 291 pound guard Jeremiah Kolone signed as a UDFA with the Rams in 2018. Despite two seasons, Kolone has not progressed enough to crack an NFL team’s 53-man roster. But he does bring versatility, able to play at all three offensive line positions. And with one more series of training camps, this could be the year where it all “clicks” for Kolone, and he lands a spot on the roster.

Linebacker Jachai Polite

6-foot-3 245 pound outside linebacker edge specialist Jachai Polite was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.  Despite some grading him as a first round talent, his combine performance was very disappointing.  He certainly has the skillset to enjoy a successful NFL career. If he can make progress this summer, he will certainly be in the mix for the 53-man. Perhaps even playing time on the starting defense.

Center Nate Trewyn

6-foot-4 315 pound center Nate Trewyn may be a player who benefits from being in the right place at the right time.  He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a 2019 UDFA, and was eventually called up from the practice squad in October 2019.  Following a month of playing on the 53 man roster, he was cut and signed on with the LA Rams. With starter Brian Allen coming off injury, and backup Austin Blythe headed for free agency, Trewyn could make the roster this year.

Tight end Ethan Wolf

6-foot-6 252 pound tight end Ethan Wolf had already signed on with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 as a UDFA.  He later signed on with the Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers before signing on with the LA Rams.  Wolf has a good NCAA pedigree in pass receptions, so the talent is there.

Quarterback John Wolford

6-foot-1 201 pound quarterback John Wolford is certainly in the mix for the LA Rams backup quarterback.  Last season’s heir apparent was Blake Bortles.  But Bortles’ contract expires this season, and the Rams do not show much interest in retaining him.  That gives Wolford a window of opportunity to advance to backup quarterback.  Of course, before that occurs, the team will definitely sign some more QBs for training camp, and audition them in preseason games.  But the job is Wolford’s to lose for now.