LA Rams sign Daniel Bituli and Derrick Moncrief in nick of time

LB Moncrief

Derrick Moncrief played for several years in the CFL before deciding that he wanted to take a shot in the NFL. That transition did not take long as he was almost immediately signed on with the Las Vegas Raiders in January 2020. Now 27, Moncrief is a player who hoped to hear his name called in the 2017 NFL Draft after playing for Oklahoma State. When that did not happen, he signed up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a team in the CFL.

After arriving in the CFL, he quickly put up some impressive numbers. The 6-foot-2 220-pound linebacker recorded 126 tackles, four sacks, five pass deflections, and five interceptions. In 2019, his play was recognized by earning him the CFL All-Star designation for his play.

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Moncrief is a versatile linebacker and someone who can be immediately productive on special teams.  A strongside linebacker in the CFL, Moncrief can play both inside and outside. With his size and experience, he can fit that hybrid LB/S role that is becoming far more popular in the NFL. In fact, when he announced he sought to play in the NFL, he drew interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.

Ultimately he signed with the Raiders until Raiders GM Mike Mayock agreed to terms with former Rams ILB Cory Littleton. Ironically, it was the Raiders signing of former Rams ILB Littleton that placed Moncrief back into the NFL Free Agency market where the Rams signed him.

Moncrief is a very curious addition who I believe has enough intriguing qualities to at least earn a practice squad spot on the Rams. He arrived far too late to learn this defense. Even if he had, his versatility only has true value when the Rams are able to cross-train him in several roles on this defense.  He arrived too late to learn all that he needs to perform in the role he is most suited to play.