LA Rams current practice squad loaded with 7 future NFL stars

The LA Rams have stockpiled future NFL stars in their practice squad, including these 7 NFL stars of tomorrow

The LA Rams practice squad is set to the 16 player limit. The news was released today by Jamie Han, social media director at therams.com. While the 53-man roster has taken a sharp lean towards offense, the Rams have countered that somewhat by loading up the practice squad with two-thirds defensive players.

First of all, we’ll take note of the players not on this list. The Rams were unable to sign seventh-round rookie linebacker. He chose to sign on with the Carolina Panthers practice squad (more on that later).  Also, not found on the list is Washington State University wide receiver Earnest Edwards IV, who was reportedly competing hard for a special team role as a punter and or kick returner into the final week of training camp.

New rules

The practice squad in 2020 is larger than in other years. Originally planned to be limited to 12 players this year, the NFL and NFLPA expanded the roster to 16 to allow teams more flexibility to cover for players who may test positively for COVID-19 this year. Also, there are new rules about protecting practice squad players.

Practice squads have a greater responsibility in 2020.

Two players per game week can be called up.  Each player from the practice squad can be called up and then reassigned back to the practice squad before the team must submit them via waivers. Of course, these are practice squad players. As such, they will very likely not be contributing to the LA Rams playoff run this year. But they will likely play a role in 2021. Let’s dive into the practice squad for a quick review:

PS- Offense

While the Rams offense is pretty well stocked on the 53 man roster, there are some items to discuss here.  First of all, longtime running back John Kelly is gone. Despite a late surge at training camp, he failed to remain with the Rams. Neither UDFA wide receiver I thought were doing well made the roster: Easop Winston or Earnest Edwards IV.  so who did land a spot?

QB Bryce Perkins (rookie)
TE Kendall Blanton (veteran)
WR J.J. Koski (rookie)
C Cohl Cabral (rookie)
OL Jeremiah Kolone (veteran)
G Jamil Demby (veteran}

That is a pretty diverse group. So who will emerge from this year’s practice squad to contribute on the offense in 2021?

Future stars

Quarterback Bryce Perkins was an undrafted and a bit raw dual-threat quarterback who has a strong likelihood of developing into a special NFL player.  The LA Rams are currently carrying just two quarterbacks on the roster. That’s a bit of a gamble this year, as the reasons for any NFL player not suiting up for game day Sunday have multiplied significantly. Perkins is a bit like Wolford, he threatens defenses with both his legs and his arm. With a year under his belt on the practice squad, he will be ready for a larger role in the NFL in 2021.

Center Cohl Cabral was an undrafted player for the LA Rams at a position that the team needs to develop talent rapidly. The Rams are currently anchored in the middle of the offensive line by an impressive resurgence by Austin Blythe. But Blythe is on a one year deal, and the Rams haven’t found “the guy” who can take over there yet. Despite keeping Brian Allen on the roster, the future center will likely be Cabral. He is a road grader, and working with OL coach Aaron Kromer for a year will make him an ideal player for a starting role in 2021.

PS- Defensive backs

Even as the LA Rams boast one of the deepest and most dangerous secondaries in the NFL in 2020, the team must be prepared to groom replacements for 2021.  Even after the Rams have signed defensive back Jalen Ramsey to a new extension, the team faces the projected free agency of John Johnson III, Troy Hill, and Darious Williams.

DB Juju Hughes (rookie)
DB Donte Deayon (veteran)
DB Tyrique McGhee (rookie)
S J. R. Reed (rookie)

Even with the LA Rams extending CB Jalen Ramsey, the team faces losing both cornerbacks Troy Hill and Darious Williams to the 2021 NFL Free Agency Market. So the young defensive backs are critical to the team’s success next year.

Future stars

DB Donte Deayon is the star from HBO Hard Knocks. He’s the veteran who appeared to have a good training camp. He is a close friend of Jalen Ramsey, which in of itself is a strong endorsement for a larger role in the defense next year.  He’s a smaller cornerback, standing just 5-foot-9 and weighing 160-pounds. But he’s all muscle, and he’s got a fearless attitude.  He’s a bit like Darious Williams in that he uses his speed and body position to help him make plays.  He’s on a one-year deal, but he will be an affordable resigning.

DB Juju Hughes is the guy with the toothpick from HBO Hard Knocks. And he too is a solid defensive back. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 190-pounds, he was an undrafted addition to the roster who showed flashes of brilliance in those glimpses of the Rams training camp. With a season to develop and bulk up, the young cornerback will be in a good spot to compete for a larger defensive role next year.

PS – Linebackers

It’s tough to wait for the LA Rams to develop linebackers on the practice squad. Right now, the Rams rolled the dice on Micah Kiser and Kenny Young, and so far the duo is exceeding expectations. But the roster is light on linebackers, and the practice squad is loaded. The Rams clearly love the upside of these players and loaded up with undrafted prospects when many talented young men fell out of the draft.

LB Derrick Moncrief
LB Christian Rozeboom
LB Daniel Bituli

Even with the LA Rams getting surprising quality starts out of Micah Kiser and Kenny Young, the team will want to develop more depth for the position. The Rams had drafted a linebacker in the past two seasons, only to lose that player via waivers and the team tried to slide a player to the practice squad.

Future stars

Linebacker Christian Rozeboom was that undrafted linebacker who was actually rising in the depth chart. He seemed to surpass drafted linebacker Clay Johnston in the rotations before final cuts. He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs in at 230-pounds. His South Dakota State statistics were solid, both at the run and pass defense.  And that is who arrived at the LA Rams training camp. But with too few snaps and very limited time, Rozeboom will sit on the team’s practice squad to train and develop.  The Rams crank out NFL stars that way.

Ex-CFL All-Star LB Derrick Moncrief is one of those “diamond in the rough” players who should be getting more coverage than he has so far. Ironically, he signed on with the Las Vegas Raiders until they managed to sign ex-Rams ILB Cory Littleton. So it makes sense that he would have a chance to fill Littleton’s role with the Rams. He’s shown dramatic improvement with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and 2019 was his spotlight season. In his final season, he put up 73 tackles, recorded four sacks, and intercepted three passes. After a year of training with the Rams,  he has prime time written all over him.

PS-Defensive linemen

The LA Rams have a strong interest in keeping a number of defensive linemen because this defense asks so much from them. They are the first line of defense and are tasked with gobbling blockers, plugging running lanes, and rushing the passer. If you have noticed the active roster, the LA Rams are carrying six defensive linemen. When NT A’Shawn Robinson comes off IR, the Rams will have a tough decision to make. Who will the Rams push off the roster to make room? Will that mean additional moves from the practice squad.

Clearly, the Rams defense emphasizes the defensive line.  The team not only has six on the roster but three more on the practice squad.

DT Marquise Copeland
DE Jonah Williams
DT Michael Hoecht

Future Stars

I won’t lie. Whenever a young rookie has superior football IQ, I star that prospect as a player with a higher ceiling. OL Tremayne Anchrum is one such player. Defensive tackle Michael Hoecht is another. He is an athletic freak of nature. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 310-pounds. He runs as quickly as many running backs, clocking 4.6-seconds at the 40-yard dash.  But he is more than just a circus sideshow act. His college stats are solid, and he’s simply too much athlete to be cut from this team. He has the rare gifts to open both offensive and defensive roles to him. For now, it’s a matter of developing those traits into an NFL caliber player.

The LA Rams are playing hard successful football.  But in four-five months, we will all turn the page to 2021. We will digest what went right for the team, analyze what went wrong for the team, and debate a future where the team amplifies the positive and neutralizes the negative. For many, the 2021 season seems to be in the far distant future. But it comes at you fast. Thankfully, the Rams are taking steps to ensure 2021 is just as successful as 2020.