LA Rams latest UDFA signings: Six quick spotlights

Bret Stuter

(Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)

LA Rams UDFA — (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)

The LA Rams have a good track record with undrafted free agents, but 2020 may be the best class of all.

The LA Rams needed to emerge from the 2020 NFL Draft with an ideal crop of young talent who could contribute instantly while possessing the potential for a high ceiling for the future. From all initial indications, the team appears to have succeeded. Still, we know that the Rams needed more for the roster than who they could afford to sign in the NFL Free-Agency market, and who they could select via the 2020 NFL Draft. In fact, we identified up to five such areas for the team to address almost exclusively via free agency.

In the aftermath, the Rams did a preemptive strike by signing two kickers prior to the draft and simply did not address an opportunity to add a big ole fullback to the backfield in either the NFL Draft or as an undrafted free agent. What the Rams did do via free agency and the draft was to acquire talented players who would compete for starting roles on the team.

That allowed the Rams to focus upon depth-players in the undrafted free agent class of 2020. And the team did so by adding players who have an opportunity to contribute on special teams this year, but whose upside could produce a very talented NFL starter in the future.

The Rams need to improve the overall talent level of the team, particularly after a significant number of contributors from 2019 failed to re-sign with the team. That means the Rams need special team contributors, and there were plenty to choose from. In a draft with deep talent pools of wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs, some NFL caliber talent fell off the draft boards. Thankfully, the Rams were able to sign a number of very talented players. Let’s shine a quick spotlight upon six undrafted free agents who could be part of the Rams 55-man roster in 2020 and beyond.

Practice squad players

Jonah Williams – Edge, Weber State

Edge rusher Jonah Williams may not be a player you followed prior to the Rams signing him as an undrafted free agent, but he will certainly be someone you will want to follow in the future. This 6-foot-5 280-pound powerhouse who is versatile enough to play as a three-point defensive end, or upright as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He is a four-year senior who amassed 194 tackles, 15 sacks, and 28 tackles-for-losses.

He may have heard his name called out in the draft, but the lack of a school Pro-Day crushed his chances. He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical jump, and he also put up 30 reps on 225-pound weights. While he did not get much press in scouting reports, he certainly deserved to be discussed. His production was very good throughout his NCAA career. He is a favorite to make the practice squad due to his size and versatility. But he could earn a roster spot with notable special teams’ play.

Bryce Perkins – QB Virginia
Bryce Perkins may not be a recognizable name for LA Rams fans, but he is as close to a hero for Virginia Cavaliers fans as they come. That is due to the fact that the 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback almost single-handedly ended the team’s 15-year losing streak to rival Virginia Tech by throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for over 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Perkins is unique to the Rams in that he is a true dual threat. In two seasons for Virginia, he threw 844 passes and completed 544 for 6,210 yards and 47 touchdowns. But he also ran 439 times for 1,692 yards and 20 touchdowns. Perkins’s best chances of projecting to the Rams roster lies in a likely role on the practice squad for 2020. However, look for the Rams to flirt with Perkins in a “Taysom Hill” like role. If he shows success in that type of utility role, he could sneak onto the Rams’ 55-man roster.

Special team contributors

Bryan London II – LB Texas State

Linebacker Bryan London II out of Texas State was a late announced signing by the LA Rams, and perhaps is one of the most intriguing UDFA addition to the team. The LA Rams interior linebacker roles are anything but settled for now, which means the team has an opportunity for young hungry players. This 6-foot-2 232-pound linebacker may be late to the mix, but his size, strength, and production will make him quite memorable to the coaching staff from the start. In four seasons, London recorded 460 tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, and one sack.

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London is a big interior linebacker who knows how to thump, shed blockers, and cover receivers. While Texas State may boast a large academic program, the football program is small and infrequently produces NFL talent. Much like Jonah Williams, his stock was likely hurt by playing for a lightly covered football program. If the LA Rams had scripted a player to follow the footsteps of former ILB Cory Littleton, London would be that player. He can cover, which means the team will give him hard looks. He should, at a minimum, earn a practice squad role. But his tackling on special teams could shake a spot loose for him on the team’s 55-man roster.

Cohl Cabral – IOL Arizona State
Many LA Rams fans had convinced themselves that the team would draft multiple offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, the Rams did what the Rams have done in virtually each of the last three NFL Drafts. The team signed on NCAA offensive tackles who could then transition into an interior offensive line role in the pros. The idea is that college tackles can ease into the NFL by first learning the lesser demanding interior lineman role, then graduating to the perimeter blocking as an offensive tackle.

Arizona State offensive lineman Cohl Cabral continues that tradition. He is a 6-foot-5 300-pound versatile offensive lineman who has college experience at both the center position and at offensive tackle. He played two games in his senior season as a blindside left tackle, and 11 games as the center. Since the LA Rams need an heir apparent to take over for veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, Cabral should certainly be tossed into that discussion. Until then, he has a shot to land on the 55-man roster for special teams play. While he is a raw offensive lineman, he has the right size to warrant optimism for a larger role going forward. A solid combination of coaching, strength training, and experience could land Cabral into a larger role this season.

Rotational players

Levonta Taylor – CB Florida State
The LA Rams defensive will rely upon deceptive schemes and versatile players to confuse and attack opposing offenses. In the Rams signing of defensive back Levonta Taylor out of Florida State, the team lands another is-he-a-safety-or-is-he-a-cornerback type in the defensive backfield. The 5-foot-10 190-pound defensive back played both the cornerback and safety position at Florida State and matched up against some of the most talented receivers in college football.

Taylor was skyrocketing as a darling of the NFL Draft until a 2018 back injury derailed his momentum. From that point, his confidence seemed to suffer a setback which he has not yet recovered from. Taylor is very fast, which when added to his CB/S hybrid experience makes him a very interesting prospect for the Rams 2020 defense. We’ll likely explore his skillsets more in-depth in future articles. At a minimum, he will have a shot for the 55-man roster and could earn a role in specific defensive schemes.