LA Rams prune 2020 roster, release WR Jojo Natson

The LA Rams stay on the script with their 2020 roster, reportedly releasing return specialist Jojo Natson ahead of the start for the new NFL season.

The LA Rams roster moves are now underway. As expected, and despite the departure of ten players via the NFL Free Agency market, the team will be making additional moves.  We had written an article about five players who would likely not return for 2020.   Some moves will likely be performance-related. Other moves will likely be salary-cap related.  Still, others will be the wisest move to cash in on a player’s current value to other NFL teams and convert a roster surplus into assets of shortages.

Of course, we had anticipated the Rams parting ways with safety Eric Weddle when we mapped out five moves to free up to $80 million in salary-cap space. Several weeks later, Weddle announced his retirement from the NFL. That saved the Rams nearly $5 million in salary-cap space, nearly enough to pay for the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Now the LA Rams are moving on from underperforming players. And that is why the Rams have elected to part ways with wide receiver Jojo Natson.

Natson is just 5-foot-7 and153-pounds, restricting him to the Rams as a return specialist. He was an inexpensive option for the team on his rookie contract. Now, due for a raise, he will likely price himself out of the Rams’ range and will need to sign on with a new team. His 22 yards average per kick return will be a challenge to replace, but the team has plenty of options in the 2020 NFL draft at wide receiver to choose from.

The Rams will likely be making additional roster moves this offseason to align with the schemes of the three new coordinators. You can check up on who we believe are at risk of being traded or not returning here. With new special teams coordinator John Bonamego onboard, this will be the first change to the Rams special teams’ configuration, but will likely not be their last.