LA Rams: 3 longshots who may make the 53-man roster

WR Koski

LA Rams wide receiver J.J. Koski was signed up after the 2020 NFL Draft and competed against a huge number of hopeful receivers. In the end, the Rams retained Syracuse wide receiver, Trishton Jackson, on the 53-man roster, and waived Cal-Poly’s Koski to sign him to the practice squad. Like so many of the LA Rams returning 2020 receivers, Koski is 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 195-pounds. He is also quite versatile and was touted for his special teams play as well.

He was a receiver in Cal-Poly’s triple-option offense. That offense affords the quarterback a chance to give the football to a running back (handoff for running play), keep the football to throw it downfield, or pitch it out to a wing-back who is rushing from the opposite side for a jet sweep. While that type of offense is fairly heavy on running plays, it does have room for significant production for the right receiver.

J.J. Koski was the right receiver in his playing days. His 4.54-second 40-yard dash time helped him separate from defensive backs.

Similar to Dayan Lake, Koski may not have earned a roster spot a year ago, but the odds were completely stacked against him. This year, he has a much better chance to showcase his talents as a receiver, a punt returner, or a kick returner.  He also has the advantage of having remained associated with the team’s coaching staff all season long as a member of the team’s practice squad.

Now, he must fend off more than a handful of new faces. Not just other receivers, but as he throws his hat into the ring to contribute on special teams, he will face competition from running backs, tight ends, defensive backs, and on coverage units, linebackers. Still, he earned a spot on the Rams practice squad against a large number of competitors. With that experience under his belt, he could be a surprise longshot who earns a spot on the 53-man roster this year.