Looking into LA Rams 3 latest reserve/futures contract signings

The LA Rams are transitioning now, preparing for the 2021 NFL season.  Because it’s the groundwork that lays the foundation for the entire season, it takes time. Progress is not visible, or if it is, it’s not in a sufficient and measurable quantity to reach definitive conclusions.

One of the oft-overlooked aspects of an NFL team’s strategy of transitioning from one NFL year into the next is the practice of converting wholesale player contracts from the practice squad to the following year’s reserve/future contracts. It’s an annual event, it involves a large number of players, and there are typically far more intriguing topics to discuss when it happens.

Still, the LA Rams are not just going through the motions. The transition of players to a reserve/future contract is not automatic. It’s a decision that has been better by the front office and the coaching staff. And so, there were 17 deliberate choices by the Rams front office and coaching staff to bring back linebacker Derrick Moncrief, safety Jake Gervase, and add newcomer Devin Hodges to the roster.

It’s the equivalent of the offseason’s practice squad and many of the names from the practice squad to end up here. But it also resets the roster, and for the time being, ensures that these players will compete for a role and playing time in the 2021 NFL season.

Brand new year

While you may be familiar with the names, the Rams situation has changed. Perhaps enough to open the door for hopeful young players? Meanwhile, players themselves have changed. They’ve worked out for another year with the Strength and Conditioning team, they’ve trained with the team throughout training camp and the season. And they have a plan to earn playing time in 2021.

Who are they?

Rams added mobile QB Devlin Hodges this year. Hodges is a 6-foot-1 210-pound quarterback who started six games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, leading the team to a 3-3 record. He is a dual-threat quarterback who was an undrafted free agent signed by the Steelers from Samford University.

Why he could see a larger role in 2021: He was forced to start for the Steelers in 2019 due to quarterback injuries, and held his own with better than expected poise. He showed some bright flashes, such as completing 100 of 160 passes for a 62.5 percent completion rate. And his NFL game experience is more than triple that of the other two backups on the roster combined. Hodges is still raw, but the timing of signing him was such that the Rams see more than just ‘another camp arm’ in him. He’ll get a look, but it will only be one unless he impresses someone on the coaching staff.

Why he won’t see a larger role in 2021: Devlin Hodges is still very raw, and the addition to the quarterback room coincided when the LA Rams were down and out of former quarterback Jared Goff. Yes, Hodges showed some poise in 2019, but he is entering a new offense and was on the practice squad for the entirety of 2020. While accurate, he threw for five touchdowns and eight interceptions in just six games. And despite his mobility, he was pounded with 15 sacks. He needs to learn how to use his speed to avoid a pass rush and throw to his receivers. That’s a tall order for this stage of his football career.

Rams re-signed S Jake Gervase after parting ways but resigning him in 2020. Gervase is a 6-foot-1 212-pound safety who has been developing with the Rams for two seasons.

Why he could see a larger role in 2021: The LA Rams will likely lose veteran safety John Johnson III to free agency in 2021. That’s no surprise, as the Rams drafted both Terrell Burgess and Jordan Fuller in 2020 to ensure a starter would be found to join safety Taylor Rapp. Even if both Fuller and Burgess win out, Gervase will have a good chance of an improved role with the team in 2021. He has held a Special Teams role with the Rams over the past two years. Now, he should be ready to exert a larger role on Special Teams as well as compete for defensive snaps.

Why he won’t see a larger role in 2021:  The Rams still have solid quality depth at safety even after the projected departure of John Johnson III.  So the 53-man roster may not have room for Gervase in 2021. That is not to say that the Rams will not add him to the practice squad. But at some point, they will end the cycle for Gervase as their insurance policy at safety. The Rams will either give him a larger more stable role, or the team will make better use of his spot.

LB Derrick Moncrief was a later addition to the roster after drafted rookie linebacker Clay Johnston opted to sign on with his father’s team, the Carolina Panthers, in 2020. And so, the Rams added CFL LB Derrick Moncrief. Moncrief is a 6-foot-2 220-pound linebacker who truly was a star in the Canadien Football League.

And now, he is a player trying to earn a permanent roster spot on the LA Rams team

Why he could see a larger role in 2021: Let’s face reality. The Rams got by in 2020 with the bare minimum at the linebacker position. After the Rams lost Tavin Howard for the season, the team compensated by playing a significant percentage of defensive snaps in either the nickel or dime package. The history of new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is such that he will expect more from the linebacker position, and staff it with more depth. Moncrief could be one such player to benefit, He’s ferocious, he earned special teams playing time in 2020, and he will finally have a full training camp to start off on even footing with other linebackers

Why he won’t see a larger role in 2021: Moncrief’s playing time so far has been predominantly from the CFL. While that requires a lot of athleticism and talent, it’s a different style of football. As such, part of the transition for Moncrief will be learning a new version of football. He played collegiate ball at Oklahoma State University and played three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. That places him at 27, an age when many NFL players are truly hitting their NFL peak.

So that’s the latest three players who have signed with the LA Rams on reserve/future contracts. The odds of all three landing significant roles with the Rams this season is remote indeed. But the odds of one player landing a significant role with the Rams this season are pretty good. The good news is that the Rams already believe them to be worth a long look in training camp. Perhaps with a good camp and solid production, one or all will make the cut and play well enough to earn a roster spot.

The Rams planned ahead. Now, we’ll see if any of these three development players will have earned that trust.