LA Rams overlooked these three waiver candidates

To activate rookie edge rusher Terrell Lewis, the LA Rams waived DT Eric Banks rather than one of these three players

The LA Rams have made it official. On the day before the LA Rams are to travel to Washington to play their fifth game of the season, they activated rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis. And the roster rules required the Rams to clear a roster spot before Lewis could fill one. So the team decided to waive defensive tackle, Eric Banks.

But not so fast. After all, the team has 53 players on the active roster and the team certainly had options elsewhere Why just pick on Banks?  He is only only one player on the roster and the Rams made other decisions to help fill Lewis’ role on defense in his absence. So who did the Rams have chosen from to clear a spot? Well, we have these three players who should have been mentioned among players.

Plan B options

At 53 players, the Rams cannot afford to be too deep at any one position. Reserves can specialize in one position but must be talented enough to fill multiple roles on the defense.  So who else is on the roster who could learn that he is looking for a place on the practice squad soon?

6-foot-3 242-pound linebacker Natrez Patrick is certainly one such player who was at risk of being waived. After all, he plays defense and he is one of the players who was projected to take on some of the rookie’s workload in his absence. What has happened since his arrival in week two is to contribute on special teams.

Two-fer consideration

LA Rams reserve offensive lineman Coleman Shelton is a bit of an enigma. He is such a big man, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 285 pounds. While that height is a bit too towering for an interior offensive lineman, he had been tremendously effective throughout his collegiate career in both pass and run blocking.  So far, he has remained on the bench since the Rams signed him off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad a year ago. He has yet to carve out a role with the Rams offense, but he has found a home in special teams. But the question is, does that warrant a roster spot?

When the LA Rams signed speedster running back Raymond Calais from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad, I had expected him to be more involved in the team’s return game. That may yet take place, as he returned one kickoff against the Buffalo Bills, and two kickoffs against the New York Giants. Despite his apparent success, he did not play against the Washington Football team. If he doesn’t contribute to the return game, and is the fifth running back on the team’s depth chart. I love his speed, but each player on the roster must help to carry the load.

The LA Rams will have more decisions down the road. When Jordan Fuller returns, and when A’Shawn Robinson is prepared to  be activated. While tose decisions are down the road, the Rams will need to weigh out the impact upon the team when considering where to make those roster moves.