Top reasons to meet 3 undrafted free agents on LA Rams roster

Wide Receiver Trishton Jackson, Syracuse

Rookie wide receiver Trishton Jackson joins the Rams after a wild collegiate ride. He started at Michigan State University in 2016, as a four-star receiver. After struggling with injuries and playing in just 10 games in two seasons, and not a lot of promise of playing time, Jackson transferred to Syracuse. He appeared in one game in 2018 and took a redshirt. His breakout season came as a redshirt junior in 2019 Jackson became the number one receiver on the team, hauling in 66 catches for 1023 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Jackson has a good frame, 6-foot-1, and 197-pounds. His cousin is former Cleveland Browns receiver, Braylon Edwards. He tested pretty well at the NFL Combine, running a 4.50-second forty-yard dash and leaping 36-inches in his vertical jump. However, his real usage is as a middle of the field receiver. Jackson thrives on in-breaking routes and creating space after the catch. That’s similar to the way that the Rams like to use Cooper Kupp, who has also struggled to stay healthy at times in his career.

Versatile target

The Rams can line up Jackson all across the formation. He’s played out wide as a deep receiver and been effective against slower cornerbacks, or they can play him out of the slot. He’s done it all. Of course, he is just a bit faster than teammate Josh Reynolds who, while a fan favorite, has struggled to catch the ball. If Jackson can haul in passes thrown his way, that could mean the Rams will move on from Reynolds.

I would imagine that the Rams have kept Jackson on the roster to be the insurance for Kupp. He is a good threat as a big-play guy against a good number of cornerbacks in the NFL, and the upside is there for Jackson to develop into a very good professional. He can contribute early, but I wouldn’t expect to see him on the active gameday roster too often unless there are some injuries in the receiving group.