LA Rams: 5 UDFAs from other teams to keep an eye on

The LA Rams roster sits at 88, and the team can add up to two more players. So what’s the holdup? Well, so far the Rams appear to be content to check the waiver wires, submit a claim to a player of interest, and then make a corresponding change to the roster if necessary to add the new player.

The Rams are not interested in adding drafted players, or even veterans, at this point. With less than $8 million free salary cap, the Rams are more interested in the bottom shelf bargains, than the highlight splashed. To do that, the Rams are scanning the NFL waiver wires for players who could be either ready to compete for a role in 2021 or simply as a player to stash on the future practice squad to develop for a future role.

Waived players are simply transferrable players at their original contract terms.  If the player ‘clears’ waivers, they are like any other NFL free agent and are able to negotiate their best deal with any team. But due to the fact that they were voluntarily released, they do not afford their original team any compensatory draft pick consideration, nor do they offset a free agent from the calculation.

Checking the ticker tape

Adding players to the roster at this point in time may not matter much, as the addition to the roster could be interpreted as a camp body. But at some point in time, after the current complement of players is assessed by the coaching staff, the Rams may not be comfortable with a 53-man roster of these players.  Here are five players who were not drafted but who certainly warrant keeping an eye as their respective teams begin to whittle down their rosters.

Michigan State CB Shakur Brown – signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Originally projected to hear his name called in round four, this 5-foot-10 185 defensive back is versatile enough to pull coverage on either the outside or slot. He is a solid coverage corner and would be an excellent fit in the Rams secondary that will adopt more Cover-1 and Cover-3 philosophy.

Virginia OLB  Charles Snowden – signed by the Chicago Bears. He is one of the two dozen prospected tracked as having met with the Rams before the draft. He is a massive 6-foot-6 243-pound outside linebacker who also was a very successful basketball player in college. He too was expected to hear his name called in the fourth round. He is very raw, and his current frame is too light to likely endure the very physical edge position. If he can bulk up to the 265-pound range, he would be an ideal rotational player for the Rams edge. If he is cut, his work with the Bears defense will only add to his value to the Rams.

Three more potential waiver signings

Alabama ILB Dylan Moses – signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although Moses is 6-foot-1 and 225-pounds, he brings a sideline-to-sideline range that NFL teams love. His size is a bit undersized for the typical three-down linebacker, but he is an ideal prospect to suit up for the hybrid LB/S types that are growing ever so popular. He suffered injuries in 2017 and 2019, and that will likely play a role with the Jaguars and any subsequent interest from the Rams. Because he is a bit undersized, his preseason work and any game performance will be critical to attracting any Rams’ interest. But the Rams have lost two linebackers via a roster cut. If he warrants being claimed off waivers, the Rams won’t hesitate to do so.

Texas A&M OG Jared Hocker – signed by the Seattle Seahawks. The LA Rams have plenty of developmental players to work with on the offensive line, but there is that 2022 free agency staring back at them. If Hocker played receiver, this would be a slam dunk. The 6-foot-6 327-pound interior offensive lineman from Texas A&M. Hocker has played a significant number of games at both the left and right offensive guard positions. Originally projected as the round-six prospect, he has ideal size and an ideal lower center of gravity. If he shows promise in the preseason but fails to make the cut, he could be signed by the Rams.

Grambling OG David Moore – signed by the Carolina Panthers. Am I being too naive? If the LA Rams wouldn’t draft offensive linemen, why would they sign off the waiver wire? Well, to be honest, they may not. But if David Moore is waived, they would be foolish not to put a claim in for him. This 6-foot-2 328-pound interior offensive lineman was projected to hear his name in round four. He is a mean old-school offensive lineman who finishes his blocks. He is a powerful young man, and it was evident in his play.  He was a standout at the Senior Bowl but still went undrafted.

The LA Rams personnel department never seems to have an ‘offseason’. Even after the draft ends, the team continues to tweak and dress up the roster to fit. Much like 2020, the Rams could continue to shape the roster even at this late date to round out the 90 man roster to provide the coaching staff the best talent possible.  There’s no doubt that the Rams have these five players on their radar. You should too.